Stadium Proposal Not Dead Yet, Hearing Scheduled on Grant Application

Supporters of a multi-purpose synthetic turf stadium are hoping that a state grant will be able to fund some of what voters refused to pay for in April.

Three months ago, for a $2 million debt exclusion to fund an expanded stadium proposal as part of the new high school construction project.

Now, the town has prepared an application seeking up to $400,000 from the state in the form of a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Community Grant (PARC) from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

A public information hearing regarding the grant proposal has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 11 at 4 p.m.

Supporters are hoping that the grant will provide the majority of the funding to install a synthetic turf surface on the field to be constructed adjacent to the new high school in 2013.

"The important thing is that this proposal is being sponsored by the town and not by the friends," said School Committee member Brian Dick, a member of the Friends of the Tewksbury Community Athletic Complex. "(Town Manager Richard Montuori) will be host the public hearing."

According to Dick, the grant application was put together by Dr. Cynthia Basteri, who writes grant applications for the Tewksbury School District.

"We ran out of time last year (before the application deadline)," said Dick. "This year, we got all our ducks in a row. Cindy really did a great job."

According to Dick, the town of Beverly received a $500,000 Parkland Grant last year for the purpose.

"I think we've got a good shot at it. We qualify," he said, adding that the public hearing is one of the requirements for the grant because the field construction is being done next to what is called an "Environmental Justice" site.

In their original proposal, the FOTCAC envisioned a 1,500-seat stadium with synthetic turf, lighting for night games and a five-court tennis complex. The Parkland Grant would only go toward the field surface.

Dick said that even if the town is awarded a grant, residents would need to vote to accept the grant at a fall Special Town Meeting.

According to the public notice for the hearing, "any person would like to view the grant application please contact the Town Manager’s office at 978-640-4300 and if any person cannot attend the hearing but would like to provide comments you can you do so by mailing to the Town Manager’s Office, 1009 Main St.
Tewksbury, MA 01876 or by email to hmchambers@tewksbury-ma.gov."