Newton’s Director of Parks & Open Space, Luis Perez Demorizi, recently announced that construction has begun on Phase 1 of the improvements scheduled for Albemarle Field. When he presented updated plans for Albemarle and other fields in a webinar last March (see Fig City News article), he indicated that construction on Phase 1 would begin in the winter of 2025. Construction fences are now going up (see aerial photo), and equipment and materials are arriving, on schedule.
RAD Sports won the contract over five other bidders to handle the renovation and construction of the athletic facilities and related improvements including, as outlined in Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s newsletter:
- A new, multi-use synthetic turf field (high-school regulation sized)
- A renovated Burke baseball field
- A renovated softball field
- Six new pickleball courts
- A renovated basketball court
- Multi-use trails and ADA accessible pathways
- Lighting for sports and pedestrians
- Irrigation
This work comes after the major renovation of Gath Pool completed last year, just south of the Phase 1 renovations. Phase 1 is scheduled to continue through the summer, and the new turf field is expected to be be completed in time for the fall sports season.
Infrastructure to improve stormwater filtration and management of run-off will be incorporated underneath the new synthetic turf field.
While individuals and environmental groups have expressed opposition to the use of artificial turf on Albemarle Field, others have urged its use for the city’s most heavily used field, and a proposed resolution opposing its use was rejected by the City Council (10-13) last May.
After Newton’s Fourth of July celebration, work will proceed on the southern end of Albemarle Field, and the entire project is scheduled to be completed by fall of 2026. Demorizi’s group is coordinating closely with Newton Public Schools and youth sports leagues to minimize disruption.
