Council Hears Plans for Miller Field, Lewis Lake and Winthrop Golf Club

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

The town is ready for a new athletic facility and on Tuesday night, plans for a new Miller Field and the repair of Lewis Lake drainage were unveiled in front of the town council.

While on the surface the projects may look like separate ones, they are not. The drainage issues affect both the lake and the sports field.

“There are hydrogeologic issues we have to deal with,” said Director of Public Works Steve Calla, adding that Lewis Lake is the central drainage area for the town. There are also complex drainage swales with lots of overgrowth and a high saline level. “It’s underperforming.”

“There’s a lot to be done,” Town Manager James McKenna said. “There are a lot of moving pieces yet to be finalized. We also need to explore other revenue sources.”

Some funding has already been obtained through Speaker Robert DeLeo. So far the $3.5 million grant is slated to go toward the work at Lewis Lake and Winthrop Golf Club.

The rest of the project, for Miller Field, is estimated to cost between $6-8 million.

“We’re hoping that it’s on the lower side,” Calla said. “The fill is the big cost driver in the site preparation. It’s still early in the design phase. Engineering will firm up the numbers.”

So far there has been no mention of a possible debt-exclusion override. McKenna said there will be public meetings in the future to discuss the project.

“It’s important for us to build it right to stay competitive,” McKenna said. “We want a facility that’s as good as any other in the region.”

The objectives for the Lewis Lake portion of the project include: increasing existing storage volume; provide additional water storage; improve the hydraulics of the existing infrastructure; reduce the impact of floods; provide water storage for water coming from Miller Field; mosquito control and minimize the impact on the golf course.

On the Miller Field side of the project, Calla said the objectives would be: the creation of an MIAA regulation facility (to be used by multiple sports); a regulation track; synthetic turf field; new concession stand, press box, restrooms and lockers; new bleachers; handicap ADA compliance; improved track and field drainage and making it a multi-use facility. Miller Field will have to be raised up so drainage issues do not damage the facility. Calla said the turf will also be able to take the multiple uses planned for the field.

The last track meet held at Miller Field was in 2005. Since then Winthrop has not been able to host any track meets. The track does not meet MIAA regulations for length and width of running lanes.

“This is a community issue,” Calla said, referring to the problem of mosquitos and drainage for the entire town. “The water doesn’t just come from drainage. It comes from the uppers Highlands, lower Highlands, Veterans Road and area catch basins.”

The impact on the golf course is that one season may be lost; there is an underground fuel tank to remove; two holes will be lost or altered; the pro shop may have to be moved; and there will be site restoration.

There will also be an extensive permitting process with upwards of 10 permits needed to comply with everyone from the Army Corp of Engineers to the local conservation commission.

The project will be worked on in three phases, said Arthur Leventis, of the Woodward & Curran engineering firm. Phase one is being done now with engineering, testing on the site and conceptual layout. Phase two will address stormwater management, site prep, permitting, structural design and landscaping.

Phase three will be the construction.

Leventis said they have already found soft, compressible soil, high groundwater and high salinity. As a result, a lighter more expensive fill will have to be used. Miller Field will also have to be raised up a few feet to address the groundwater and drainage issues. In order to install turf the engineers will have to keep the water away from the surface.

McKenna set up a Miller Field/Lewis Lake Task force with 12 members to begin plans for the Miller Field Revitalization/Lewis Lake drainage infrastructure improvements. Members include Steve Calla, Director of Public Works; John Macero, Superintendent of Schools; Sean Driscoll, Director of Parks and Recreation; Joe Ferrara, Winthrop Golf Club representative; Joe Domelowicz, the town’s grant administrator; Vincent Crossman, of the School Building Assistance Committee; Norman Hyett, of the Conservation Commission; Richard Cifuni, Public Facilities Manager; Matt Serino, Athletic Director; Matt Crombie, Winthrop High School Principal; Dawn Sullivan, of the School Committee; and Arthur Leventis, of the Woodward & Curran engineering firm.

“The ground water is right at the surface,” said Driscoll. So when it rains it does not soak in, it drains to Lewis Lake and just sits on top.

The 400-meter track improvements will include six, 42-inch wide lanes, a 500-seat bleacher on the home side and a 250-seat bleacher for visitors. There will be new lighting, scoreboard and sound system.

“This offers so much potential for the community,” Calla said, adding it could also be a revenue generator for events. “It’s a valuable resource that’s been a long time coming. Neighboring communities have it and people will also be able to walk the track.”