Edward A. LeLacheur Park

Edward A. LeLacheur Park is a baseball park located on the banks of the Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts. It is home to the UMass Lowell River Hawks baseball team, which competes in the America East Conference at the NCAA Division I level. It was home to the Lowell Spinners, previously the New York–Penn League Class A Short Season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

Edward A. LeLacheur Park
LeLacheur Park
Location450 Aiken Street
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Coordinates42.65327°N 71.318114°W / 42.65327; -71.318114
OwnerUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell
OperatorUMass Lowell River Hawks baseball
Capacity4,797 seated (5,030 with standing room)[1]
Field sizeLeft Field: 337 feet (103 m)
Left-Center Field: 368 feet (112 m)
Center Field: 400 feet (120 m)
Right-Center Field: 368 feet (112 m)
Right Field: 301 feet (92 m)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1996
OpenedJune 22, 1998
Construction cost$11.2 million
($20.1 million in 2022 dollars[2])
ArchitectPopulous
General contractorPeabody Construction Co., Inc.[3]
Tenants
Lowell Spinners (NYPL) (1998–2020)
UMass Lowell River Hawks (NCAA Division I America East) (1998–present)

History

The park was built between a partnership with the city of Lowell and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The park was named for State Representative Edward A. LeLacheur, who led the initial redevelopment of Lowell, and opened in 1998.[4][5] The park was built adjacent to the residential section of UML. Populous (formerly HOK Sport) designed the park. It offers views of the Aiken Street Bridge, Lawrence Mills, Fox Hall, and University Suites. The seating bowl is raised above the field. A concourse surrounds the top of the park where the refreshment, merchandise stands, and bathrooms are located. The design enables an open view while waiting in line.

Two seating expansions have been considered since the park opened. One plan would have added 600-1,000 seats on the third base side. The expansion would match how the first base side is angled towards the infield. The other proposal was to add a smaller version of the Green Monster with seating for approximately 200 people. This also would have shortened the field and raised the wall to 20 ft (6.1 m). Due to lack of funds, neither have been built.[6]

The stadium also features the Giant Hood Milk Jug from Fenway Park and all Red Sox retired numbers.

The ballpark held its first concert on July 10, 2008, when Boston-based Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys played there with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.[7]

The Lowell City Council voted on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, to sell Lelacheur Park to UMass Lowell for $1 million. UMass Lowell plans to invest $3 million to maintaining and renovating the park over 5 years.[8]

Attendance

The Spinners have had several consecutive sold-out seasons at LeLacheur Park.[9][10]

See also

References
  1. "Franchise History". Milb.com. Accessed September 9, 2016.
  2. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  3. "Mike McLaughlin Experience". LinkedIn. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  4. Collins, John (August 11, 2010). "'There will never be another Ed LeLacheur'". Lowell Sun. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  5. Girard, Christopher J. (August 8, 2010). "Edward A. LeLacheur, 85, longtime state legislator who quietly served others". Boston.com. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  6. Myers, Jennifer (August 21, 2009). "Lowell Spinners Pitching a Monster of an Idea for LeLacheur". Lowell Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  7. Briere, Rachel R. (July 11, 2008). "A Rockin' Grand Slam at Lowell's LeLacheur Park". Lowell Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  8. "Lowell to sell LeLacheur Park to UMass Lowell for $1 million". July 27, 2022.
  9. "Spinners Record Book". Minor League Baseball. September 9, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  10. "Franchise History". Minor League Baseball. December 23, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
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