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 council to consider that recommendation. At the city council meeting, Councilor Genesse formally moved to bring the subcommittee recommendation forward, the motion received a roll call, and the council recorded affirmative responses from a majority of members.

Project schedule and scope

The project team described the training center as a multiuse facility for athletics and community organizations. OPM (owner’s project manager) Ryan Jacobson said the training center completion is targeted for "on or about July of 2026." Matt LaLaschia and the project team said the subcommittee approved small design changes—more locker-room and restroom space—and emphasized a phased approach because the full master-plan options for the grandstand are expensive.

Why it matters

The training center is intended to increase local sports capacity and support athletics programming across the district. The subcommittee and project team emphasized securing a mix of philanthropic, federal and city funding and described the training center as the next phase of a longer master plan for the complex.

Speakers and attributions

- Councilor Mercia (Parks & Recreation subcommittee chair) presented the subcommittee report to the council. - Ryan Jacobson, OPM, presented options and estimated construction timing: "completion of the training room on or about July of 2026." - Matt LaLaschia (project team) said suggestions from councilors led to modest changes that "expanded a little bit more locker room space, expanded, more bathroom space" in preliminary designs.

Formal actions

- Subcommittee recommendation: Motion by Councilor deCoteau, seconded by Councilor Liggettia, to recommend moving forward with development and construction of the $4,800,000 training center at Martin Athletic Complex; adopted by a 6–0 subcommittee roll call. (Outcome: recommendation passed at subcommittee level.)

- Full council: Councilor Genesse moved to bring the subcommittee recommendation forward at the Jan. 7 meeting and the motion was answered in the affirmative by roll call; the council voted to accept the subcommittee report and move the item to the full council agenda for further action and budgeting.

Clarifying details

- Training center construction budget cited by the subcommittee: $4,800,000 (presented by the project team and OPM). - Grandstand options: estimated ranges from $9,000,000 to $42,000,000 depending on the option chosen; subcommittee noted the work could take two to three seasons to construct. - Recent investments at the complex: two turf replacements cited at approximately $2,000,000 each and a $250,000 structural assessment for the grandstand.

Next steps

Councilors said the recommendation will return to the council for a separate vote on funding and appropriation. Project leaders and the assistant city manager were thanked for work to secure federal earmarks and philanthropic support, and the council asked for additional cost detail and a financing plan before approving construction funding.

Ending

Council members praised the collaborative subcommittee process and asked the administration and project team to continue refining cost estimates, phasing, and funding sources before the council votes on final authorization.