“If We Build it, the Kids will Come”

Funding for Medford High Field of Dreams Project Approved

– Allison Goldsberry

After three years of active fundraising and lobbying by several Medford parents, Medford High School will receive new artificial turf fields that can be used for a variety of sports.

The Field of Dreams project was initially to be funded by alumni donations and revenue from cell phone companies renting space on a cell monopole. While those two pieces of funding still remain in place, according to organizer Bill Carr, Jr., the city also has approved a $2 million loan order to pay for the project.

“In my opinion this vote represents an investment in the future of Medford. The response has been overwhelmingly positive from the parents, people who are going to be paying the bill…The investment is going to reap big dividends and make all who attend Medford High, proud Mustangs!” said City Council President Robert Maiocco, who voted in favor of the project.

“This project is going to be one of the best things that has happened in this city in a long time, especially for our youth population. It is going to strengthen school spirit, reduce injuries, and provide an outlet for so many children and teens in our city. I not only look forward to seeing the project completed, but I look forward to seeing the athletes take the field for the first time, to take the field with pride, Mustang pride,” said City Councilor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, who also supported the project.

The City Council approved the $2 million loan order, 6-1, at its Tuesday meeting after hearing from dozens of residents, most of whom were in favor of the project. Those who opposed the loan, including Councilor Robert Penta and members of Advocating for Medford Public Schools, said they weren’t against creating new fields, but did not support a loan for the project because they felt other school priorities were more pressing in the tough fiscal climate.

Newly-elected School Committee member George Scarpelli, a member of the Field of Dreams committee, said he knew “the question would be brought up” concerning how the city could afford to take out a loan for the fields at a time when the school and city budgets face cuts. Scarpelli said after he spoke to Mayor Michael McGlynn he realized “we are not taking away from the school side to support the field project; one had nothing to with other.”

“I know we are in difficult fiscal times but this is the vision we need to move our city forward; we are now building safe, state of the art fields that we can use as viable revenue sources,” said Scarpelli.

“I want the citizens of Medford to understand I made a pledge that if a question or a project came in front of me, I would weigh all the options for what was best for the children and the citizens of Medford, and I strongly feel that the building of new fields is what is best for our community,” Scarpelli continued.

Residents packed the Council chambers on Tuesday night and many spoke in favor of the new fields, including several student athletes.

“The young student athletes from Medford High, who spoke on the issue, did all of us proud, they were informed and articulate,” said Councilor Maiocco.

Carr said he was in the audience yet he did not feel the need to speak before the Council, instead letting the students have their say.

“I didn’t get up and speak one word…it was about the kids,” said Carr.

Scarpelli credited Carr for all of the work he did to continue moving the project forward over the past three years after starting the Field of Dreams committee with just a few parents. He said he wanted to personally thank Carr on behalf of his family and Medford’s children.

“We seldom see people in today’s world step up and volunteer time away from family, work, and personal life to do something for others and this is exactly what Bill has done…not to take away for what the other members did for the project but it was Bill Carr, Jr. who would not take no for an answer and with what ever road block that was put in his way he had the heart and vision to go through them and finally succeed,” said Scarpelli in an email.

According to Carr, the project includes two turf fields that can be used for soccer, lacrosse, and football games as well as for baseball and softball practice; a running/walking track; full lighting; and two scoreboards. Handicapped parking will also be created next to the new fields.

Heimlich Landscaping and Construction Corporation of Woburn has won the bid to create new turf fields behind Medford High School. Carr said ground should be broken in the spring and the entire project will take twelve weeks.

The bidding process will open once again on February 25 for the construction of the cellphone tower, said Carr.  The city has struggled with finding a bidder and this time the bidding will open at $450,000.

In addition to the fields behind Medford High School, Hormel Stadium will also be done over with artificial turf this summer.