Harry Dello Russo Stadium Stadium Press Conference
On December 17, 2012, the City of Revere received formal notification that it would receive $727,000 in FY2014 and then $2 million in FY2015, under the Gateway City Parks Program, for the restoration of the Harry Della Russo Football Stadium/Track. The funding comes from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and is reserved for the creation and restoration of parks and recreational facilities in urban neighborhoods. A press conference will be held on Tuesday February 5th at 2:30pm at the stadium. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Only Gateway Cities, which include; Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester, are eligible for this type of funding from the State. The project will cost in the vicinity of $4 million through the entire construction phase and the funding from the state will cover close to 70 percent of the project. The stadium has long been identified by Mayor Rizzo as a top priority of his administration. It will continue as a multi-use, city wide recreational facility. When upgraded, it will include not only a new Football field, but a new regulation sized running track.
According to the most recent U.S. Census, the City of Revere is home to over 8,000 children between the ages of 10-19. A new stadium will help out enormously in serving the growing needs of Revere’s rising youth population. Construction would begin in July of 2013 and last through June of 2015. “The stadium is a top priority for this administration and of the Planning and Community Development Department. I look forward to working with the State to restore the space and create a place for all of our children to play,” commented Planning Director Frank Stringi.
“I was overjoyed when we received word from the EEA that Revere was to receive funding to rehabilitate Harry Della Russo Stadium. This grant validates our hard work done on a daily basis to improve the quality of life for all Revere residents. I believe that a new state of the art facility in our downtown area will be another step towards revitalizing our central business district and that it will dramatically impact the quality and quantity of opportunities that currently exist for recreational and sports related activities for our children.” commented Mayor Rizzo.