The New Balance Foundation has donated $5 million to help develop an indoor track and gymnasium at The FieldHouse. This project is a collaboration between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and the Martin Richard Foundation, with the goal of creating a community space for youth and families in the Columbia Point area of Dorchester.
The Martin Richard Foundation, founded in memory of Dorchester resident Martin Richard, an 8-year-old who died in the Boston Marathon bombing, has been involved in various community projects across Boston. The organization stated that the New Balance Foundation’s donation marks a significant milestone toward constructing The FieldHouse, which is expected to begin in spring 2025.
“We’re grateful for the Foundation’s support and the support we’ve received from all our donors. Whether it’s $10 or $10 million, our community is coming together once again, this time to give generations of youth, of all backgrounds and abilities, a place to call their own and pursue their dreams,” said the organization in a statement.
According to the Martin Richard Foundation, The FieldHouse will offer programs and resources focused on health and wellbeing. The planned facility is expected to serve 50,000 young people living within a three-mile radius, including more than 1,000 Boston Public School students who will have access when it opens.
The 75,000-square-foot complex is designed to include indoor courts, a turf field, a teaching kitchen, a theater, and a fitness center, along with outdoor spaces such as gardens, courts, and terraced seating. Additional features will include studio spaces, conference rooms, and retail areas.
