Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025 City Council Approves $4.2M Loan for McMackin Field Renovation Advocate Staff Report T he Revere City Council has unanimously approved a $4.2 million loan to fund the second phase of the McMackin Field renovation project. The funding brings the city closer to completing the $6.5 million project by mid-summer next year, according to Public Works Director Chris Ciaramella. The loan order, fi rst introduced last month, was delayed after Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio requested more detailed plans before moving forward. On Monday night, Ciaramella and Parks and Recreation Director Michael Hinojosa presented the updated designs, receiving widespread praise from council members. The project includes a multiuse turf fi eld adaptable for little league baseball, regulation softball, and Under-10 youth soccer. Phase one—site elevation and drainage installation—is already complete. Two new structures will be added: a two-story press box behind home plate with a 4x8-foot window, and a storage building with three handicap-accessible bathrooms. Other planned features include: • An 8-foot decorative fence • Protective netting to shield nearby streets and condos • A new scoreboard • Three bleachers accommodating 144 spectators • 17 parking spaces along Winthrop Avenue DEBATES | FROM Page 1 Improvements will also be made to the surrounding area, including pedestrian bumpouts and solar-powered crossing beacons at two crosswalks on Winthrop Avenue. The sidewalk along the fi eld will be fully replaced, with new tree pits and decorative lighting. “The new layout, along with Mid-grade Regular 2.78 3.37 3.37 $3.47 Over 47 Years of Excellence! 1978 - 2025 ULS Full Service $2.99 Order online at angelosoil.com a retaining wall extension, has created additional parking and enhanced safety for residents,” Ciaramella explained. Councillor-at-Large Robert Haas III expressed enthusiasm for the project. “These renderings are fantastic. A fi eld of this magnitude brings so many benefits—multiple sports, rentals, practices, games. It’s a huge plus for the city and its residents.” Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto suggested incorporating a memorial to the fi eld’s past identity as “Little Fenway,” calling it an important piece of Revere’s history. The council also discussed public access. Argenzio emphasized that public spaces shouldn’t be locked during the day, but Hinojosa cautioned that vandalism—such as recent issues at Della Russo Stadium— might necessitate security measures. The council agreed to revisit the public access policy in the future. money alone would be the most prudent move. Kelly also proposed adding the money to the line item for Special Education residential costs, which Kelly said are already more than was originally anticipated. But John Kingston, chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee, had a diff erent idea. Kingston proposed spending $40,000 on a playground for the early childhood program at the Beachmont School. Kingston described how there’s nothing at Beachmont for play equipment for early ed and kindergarten. Kingston said the only thing in the yard is a broken sandbox with sand leaking out of the sides and a crooked table. “We talk a lot about equity in the district, and this is very unequitable,” said Kingston, adding that the district’s other preschool programs have playgrounds. Kingston also reminded the committee that they have talked a lot about the importance of play to engage children in learning. “We’re not updating anything, there’s nothing there,” said Kingston. “I don’t think that’s fair.” But other committee members felt it is better to take a cautious and conservative approach with the surplus. “We want to give kids everything possible,” said Committeewoman Stacey Bronsdon-Rizzo. “I would love to see a playground at Beachmont. But we are not in a position to look at playgrounds,” she said, adding that the committee shouldn’t approve a playground before funding for special education programs. “In the current fi scal state we’re in, I don’t know if a playground would be a priority,” said Bronsdon-Rizzo. Kelly suggested investigating possible grants for tot lots. She added that she had not heard from the principal at Beachmont nor from the early education director that the lack of a playground is a problem. She also added that she had recently signed on to a letter to the state legislature asking how they can better support local school districts with the millionaire’s tax. She said some good news may be coming in the spring. Committee member Anthony Caggiano said he would support Kingston’s motion to use $40,000 for a playground, but he wanted more information about how the money would be spent. The committee voted to recommend to the full School Committee that they approve $40,000 for the Beachmont playground and that the remaining $115,000 be put in the special education residential column to avoid any defi cits next year. Advertise dvertise i in the Adv cate n the Advocate Classifieds! Classifieds! Call us at: 781-286-8500 Advertising that gets results! FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
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