Sean Daley says the town of North Andover, when it comes to playing fields for their children, is at a breaking point.
And that comes from experience.
Not only has he put in 19 years on the town’s police force – he’s a lieutenant – but the 47-year-old has lived in town for nearly four decades and today he is vice president of the town’s famed Boosters Club.
Daley has me beat by a decade, having moved here 30 years ago. But like him, I’ve coached, watched or been to every field the town has to offer.
“We have one, official big diamond baseball field in town. One,” said Daley. “And that’s just one example of many issues.
“At this point, where we are as a town, we have never had a greater need for field space,” said Daley. “There is all that land and space behind the Middle School, the old football stadium. They are basically unusable.”
The “Middle School Fields & Recreation Complex Plan” can rectify everything, said Daley.
That plan will be discussed and voted on by residents at Tuesday night’s Town Meeting.
The cost is $18 million, double the $9 million is was when “originally” proposed in 2018.
A lawsuit by neighbors – concerned about late nights and noise – threw it into the courts. And then the pandemic, because of issues in court, basically halted any hopes of the plan moving forward.
Until now.
Mind you, this project isn’t just for potential jocks. This is for everyone.
Included:
A one-mile walking trail
An exercise course
Two (2) half-court basketball courts
Two (2) multipurpose courts for street Hockey, tennis and pickleball
An amphitheater for arts performances, movie nights and school/town activities
A full baseball diamond
Multipurpose fields for lacrosse, field hockey and soccer
Recreation fields for softball, informal recreation, outdoor events
A bocce and shuffleboard court
An outdoor eating area
A concession stand
A plaza with a gazebo
Restrooms
And an expanded parking lot
That’s a lot. And all of it is good.
All of the fields will be turf, which is important in dealing with weather issues.
“You can play any sport on the North Andover High football field [Walsh Stadium] in a rainstorm and it never puddles up,” said Daley.
The area behind the Middle School has been basically lying dormant with plans in place.
These fields and open spaces would be used seven days a week and at least 12 hours a day.
Will the lights over the fields and paths be a nuisance?
Will people hanging around until 8:30 p.m. ruin the neighborhood on the other side of the fence?
There are pluses and minus to everything. Sometimes it’s a close call, with equal amounts on both sides.
That is not the case. In fact, the naysayers might be the ones who benefit most.
“The biggest thing is we need the people in town that support this project to be there on Tuesday night,” said Daley. “We know there are thousands of people that want this. I’ve been hearing it for years. Well, now it’s time to show it.”