Subcommittee urges construction of $4.8M training center at Martin Athletic Complex; council moves to advance plan

A joint Parks & Recreation and Finance subcommittee recommended on Dec. 11 that the city advance development of a $4.8 million training center at the Martin Athletic Complex, and the Lowell City Council on Jan. 7 agreed to move the recommendation forward for further council consideration.

The subcommittee report—delivered to the council by Councilor Mercia—listed recent and planned capital investments at the Martin Athletic Complex, including $2 million to replace turf at one field and another $2 million for a separate turf replacement, a $250,000 structural assessment of the grandstand, and a $3,000,000 federal earmark secured for a grandstand project. The subcommittee also reviewed five design/cost options for reworking the grandstand, with cost estimates ranging from about $9 million to $42 million.

The subcommittee vote

Council records indicate the joint subcommittee (Finance and Parks & Recreation) voted unanimously (6–0) to recommend moving forward with development and construction of a training center; the subcommittee chair then asked the full…