NEWBURYPORT — Those driving by Low Street across the road from Nock Middle School can now see the city’s vision for its new Recreation and Youth Services Center.
In recent weeks, the newly built gymnasium has been connected to the former National Guard building by a lobby, forming a complex that is still on schedule to be completed by fall.
“We are certainly getting really excited for the Recreation and Youth Services Center,” Mayor Sean Reardon said. “The project is on time and on budget, and we are still aiming for a November opening. It will be here before you know it.”
Upon completion, the recreation center will house the city’s Recreation and Youth Services Department, which has not had a permanent home since 2021 when the boiler at its last location, the former Brown School, was deemed unusable.
On May 13, 2025, voters approved a $6.5 million debt exclusion to pay for most of the city’s $8.3 million plan to build the center.
The complex will also include offices for RYS staff, a flexible art/maker space, an early education area, meeting and quiet study space, as well as multipurpose space.
A half basketball court will be built outside to go along with a new patio, enclosed play space and an open lawn area.
Harvard-based L.D. Russo Inc. was awarded the contract after submitting the lowest bid, $7.1 million, in March 2025. Ground was broken for the project in September.
As of July 27, in what is listed as Week 51 of the project, recent construction included: insulating VRF ductwork at the connector, continuing installing siding, installation of acoustic ceiling tile, cleanup of sitework in preparation for exterior improvements, and the installation of cabinets.
The two-week look ahead mentioned continued programming of rooftop units, continued site cleanup, and continued installation of siding at the phase 2 gym.
Department of Public Services Director Kim Turner, who stopped by the site on Thursday, said the project is coming together well.
“As you can see from the outside, much of the preparation for the site work is complete and we are getting ready for installation of both the rear court and the front parking lot,” Turner said. “Progress on the interior is even further along, with drywall and light fixtures installed in the old building, and cabinets soon to come.”
She said the connector/lobby space still needs some work but “you can really envision what it will look like.”
“Overall, I’m thrilled with how it’s coming together: it’s truly a blend of old and new and I think it’ll suit the community well,” Turner said. “It’s hard to believe we are only a few months away from completion and the doors finally opening to the community. It’s very exciting.”
Reardon praised all the effort that city officials have put into the project.
“DPS Director Turner is doing a great job project managing and RYS Director (Andrea) Egmont is busy getting everything she needs for inside the building as well as preparing programming,” Reardon said. “It will be a huge win for the city when completed.”
Egmont said it has been exhilarating to watch the center take shape, noting that she has had many opportunities to go inside and check it out.
“It is so far along, I think people will be surprised,” Egmont said.
As the project has continued to take shape, the project has received some local support.
The City Council voted to approve two gifts for the center at its meeting March 23.
One gift is $50,000 annually for five years from the Institution for Savings in exchange for naming rights to the gym. The gym is set to be named after former mayor and retired Institution for Savings executive Mary Anne Clancy.
Another gift approved that night was $40,000 annually for five years from the Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation in exchange for naming rights for the lobby. The foundation provides grants to Greater Newburyport nonprofits.
On April 13, another gift was accepted from the Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation. The gift totaled $80,000, with $40,000 more promised next year. No naming rights were involved.
The council voted to approve another gift June 1 – $50,000 from the Margaret Wilson Trust with a request for recognition rights for the pollinator garden and pergola swings.
Biweekly project updates can be found here: cityofnewburyport.com/mayors-office/pages/recreation-youth-services-building-proposal.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.