Forges Field, a network of meadows and playing fields forming Plymouth’s largest athletics facility, won’t likely get a planned expansion and overhaul after town officials were handed a whopping $92 million price tag.
The proposal came in as part of a phased plan for a massive expansion and modernization of the sprawling complex over the next 9 years. The study was commissioned by the town’s recreation department, which got a presentation from the architectural firm it hired at a recent Select Board meeting.
Most of the steep price tag was for ambitious plans to expand the complex, including a $34.5 million recreation center, $22.6 million to add fields, and millions more in additions.
Three Select Board members interviewed by the Independent said the project is not feasible at this time given the town’s looming budget deficits. Some said a much more scaled back renovation might be feasible in the future.
“Sticker shock,” said Select Board Chair Deb Iaquinto. “It’s a good roadmap, but I’m not sure how we’re going to be able to fund any of it in the near term.”
Located on the edge of Myles Standish State Forest, the facility was built in 2000 with help from a $3.25 million state grant and boasts a 1.5-mile paved walking trail, 3 regulation soccer fields, 2 senior league baseball fields, 2 football/lacrosse fields, 1 adult softball field, 2 Little League fields, 2 youth softball fields, a pavilion, and 6 pickleball courts.
Many of its venues suffer from age and overuse. They are lush and green now, but at times over the past year, burned-out lawn areas pointed to an outdated irrigation system in need of an upgrade.
The conceptual master plan, presented by Activitas, a Dedham-based landscape architecture and civil engineering firm working on the proposal since last year, is divided into eight phases to include some synthetic turf, upgrade the grandstands and fencing, expand parking and repave the walkways which would be more wheelchair accessible.
Nearly 800 users responding to an online survey cited the lack of restrooms as the problem that most needs to be addressed. The plan calls for the addition of 10 composting toilets. The plan also suggests nearly doubling the number of playing fields at the complex from 12 to 23.
“It would be a very nice project if we could afford it, but I don’t believe we can afford it in the current financial circumstances the town finds itself,” Select Board member Kevin Canty said.
“It’s not feasible,” Select Board member Bill Keohan said. “It’s a lot of money. It’s a beautiful description of something that I can’t afford.”
Board members Dick Quintal and David Golden did not respond to requests for comment.
Proponents of the plan say there are funding opportunities.
It’s possible the town could get $425,000 a year in parks grants from the state, but to qualify it would have to ensure deed restrictions on Forges Field as recreation space are registered and enforced.
Canty also said parts of the project could be funded through grants, community preservation funds, and the town’s free cash reserves for one-time capital expenses. However, he said, the town faces other major capital expenditures such as a restoration or rebuilding of Memorial Hall, new fire stations, and a new elementary school in North Plymouth. In addition, the town faces challenges in maintaining services in the face of slowing increases in property taxes as new growth in the Pinehills and Redbrook slows down, he said.
The project itself would increase revenue for the town, according to the proposal. But annual expenses would go up as well.
Currently, the town takes in $19,456 in facilities rentals a year at Forges Field. It spends $85,923 in maintenance and portable restrooms. At the completion of the 9-year plan the report projects the town could take in $250,000 to $600,000 a year, but would have to spend $1 million a year on maintenance and salaries, as the site would require an additional 9 to 13 additional employees.
“We would have to find other sources,” Anne Slusser, the town’s recreation director, told the Select Board after the July 14 presentation. Requests to interview Slusser about the origins of the study were not returned.
The ambitious proposal also suggests a private-public project – not yet priced out – could build more synthetic fields, an indoor turf complex, and lodging, restaurants, and shopping.
The facilities, located at 83 Jordan Road, were originally a 19th-century sports and leisure estate known as “The Forges” owned by department store magnate Eben Dyer Jordan Jr. The land’s history dates back to early English settlers who used the area for farming and grazing. By the late 19th century, Jordan – son of the co-founder of Jordan Marsh – established the grand Forges Estate, which served as a retreat for hunting and fishing.
The town of Plymouth eventually acquired the land and developed the athletic complex, opening the site in 2000.
Here’s a breakdown on the costs and timing of the proposal:
Phase 1A – $9.2 million, completed 2027, to convert the lower football practice field and the adjacent adult softball field to synthetic turf; expand the softball field to include a rectangular field for sports such as lacrosse; rebuild the natural grass championship football field; grandstand and fencing renovations around two of the fields, as well as the backstop, team areas, and spectator bleachers at a third; expanded parking; repaved walkways; wheelchair accessibility; and 10 new toilets.
Phase 1B – $2.4 million, completed 2028, to improve another four natural grass baseball and softball diamonds.
Phase 1C – $3.3 million, completed 2029, to rebuild two natural grass soccer fields.
Phase 2A – $7.7 million, completed 2031, to finish a dog park, improve a fifth natural grass softball field, build a sixth one, and build more basketball or pickleball courts.
Phase 2B – $8.5 million, completed 2031, to finish the complex of soccer fields.
Phase 2C – $3.7 million, completed 2031, to convert one soccer field to artificial turf and add new lighting.
Phase 3 – $34.5 million, completed 2036, to build a recreation center.
Another phase – $22.6 million, to be completed 2035, to would add four fields, including one with artificial turf and lights.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org