Local News

A field house named for Martin Richard is being proposed in Dorchester

“This is a space that will bring us together as neighbors for sporting events, birthdays, all sorts of events.”

Martin Richard. The Associated Press

By Dialynn Dwyer

1 minute to read

Boston Public Schools is considering a proposal for an indoor sports and community center near its McCormack Middle School on Columbia Point that would be named for the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombings. The Martin W. Richard Foundation and Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester submitted a plan for the new recreation center — the Martin Richard Dorchester Field House — to the district over the summer, according to the Dorchester Reporter. Bill Richard, whose 8-year-old son Martin was killed in the 2013 terrorist attack at the marathon finish line, and BGCD President Bob Scannell say the vision for the $30 million project is to create a “welcoming space” for the Dorchester community that would serve as a “symbol of inclusion to all in Boston.”“This is a space that will bring us together as neighbors for sporting events, birthdays, all sorts of events,” Bill Richard said, according to the Reporter. “It fits our mission of helping kids. The idea goes back a number of years and it comes from talking to parents here in Dorchester over the years at games and practices for our kids. So many times we’ve been on the sidelines or in the stands and the rain comes … we’d say, ‘We wish we had something indoors like they have in the suburban towns.” The proposal was submitted in response to a request for proposals for the lot owned by the district that is tucked along Mt. Vernon Street next to the McCormack School. The proposal will be presented to community groups through the month of October for feedback. 

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