Needham Park and Rec Commission approves $166,000 estimate to replace McLeod Field bleachers

Needham Park and Recreation commissioners voted unanimously May 21 to proceed with a plan to replace and elevate both sets of bleachers at McLeod Field, approving an order-of-magnitude cost estimate of about $166,000 and directing staff to encumber funds so work can move forward.

The commission’s action followed a presentation by staff that laid out two broad approaches to address spectator visibility and accessible seating: lowering the concrete ADA pads that sit between the playing surface and the existing bleachers (estimated at roughly $27,000–$32,000 for the different pad options), or installing new elevated bleachers positioned closer to the backstop (estimates ranged from about $90,000 for a single elevated unit to about $166,000 to replace and elevate both stands). The commission chose the full bleacher replacement and elevation option, referred to at the meeting as “Option 2c.”

The project team said the bleacher option would place new, elevated…