09-22-2004a


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Executive Department

State House Boston, MA 02133

(617) 725-4000

 

 

MITT ROMNEY

GOVERNOR

 

 

KERRY HEALEY

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 22, 2004 CONTACT:

 

 

Shawn Feddeman

Felix Browne

(617) 725-4025

Jennifer Flagg

(617)-626-1022

 

 

 

 

ROMNEY ADMINISTRATION SCORES TOUCHDOWN FOR DILBOY FIELD

$8 million in funding will allow full-scale renovation of aging Somerville stadium

 

SOMERVILLE – Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today announced $8 million in state funding for a major overhaul of Somerville’s Dilboy Field, which has fallen into severe disrepair and can no longer be used.

 

“Today, we are celebrating a victory for the Highlanders of Somerville High School and for the City of Somerville,” said Healey. “For many years, funding for the renovation of Dilboy Field has been punted back and forth. Asking for the money might have seemed like throwing a Hail Mary pass at the end of the fourth quarter – but I am happy to announce that the pass is complete.”

 

The six-acre stadium complex, which was built in 1953, includes a running track, a football field and a concrete grandstand with 4,500 seats. Over the years, Dilboy Field has deteriorated to the point where Somerville High School sports teams have stopped using the facility for games or practice, forcing the students to find alternative locations that were less ideal.

 

The $8 million in state funds, contained in a $439 million supplemental spending bill approved by Governor Mitt Romney last week, will enable a total overhaul of the stadium, including new bleachers, artificial turf, team rooms and outbuildings for concession and maintenance space. The renovation will allow Somerville sports programs to make Dilboy their home field once again.

 

“It’s a very exciting day for Somerville and especially for our kids,” said Senator Charles E. Shannon, who worked closely with the Romney Administration to secure the funding. “They are our future and soon they will have a place they can truly call home. We all worked together for so many years to make this happen, but it took an Olympic effort from one person – Governor Mitt Romney – to make a new Dilboy Stadium a reality. I can’t wait for opening day.”

 

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which owns and operates the facility, expects to bid the renovation contract by January 2005.

 

“Since I’ve been a part of the Somerville sports program, my goal has been to help instill pride and character in the kids I coach,” said John Hannah, Head Coach of the Somerville High football team and New England Patriots Hall of Famer. “By showing such strong support for Dilboy Stadium, Governor Romney has given us one of the most important tools we could have to help the kids of this community.”

 

“This ends more than a decade of wrangling with previous administrations to

restore this great facility,” said Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone. “We thank Governor Romney and Lieutenant Governor Healey for giving back our home field advantage.”

 

 

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