Major Field House restoration progress at Gloucester High School | Big DPW project #GloucesterMA #GHS #Basketball #Track

After twenty plus years in need and many years of planning, the Gloucester High School field house deficiencies are no more. Restoration is underway on this 1.6 million capital improvement directed by Gloucester Public Works.

The old bleachers are being replaced with top notch product.

Issues with the original concrete and under laying have been resolved. “The new work will be done correctly.” This mean new hardwood flooring. New usable track. Gloucester DPW hired Capital construction for this big project.

Views of the progress July 2020– so exciting!

 

Gloucester High School Field House summer construction major renovations_20200727_Gloucester Mass photographs ©c ryan (5)

 

The old bleachers were punched out all over, holes like confetti. Rumor one I’ve heard was shot put tosses caused the damage (whether practice misses or on purpose, I’m not sure) Rumors two is the holes were a result of indoor baseball and softball practice. What do you think caused the holes? Cue up GMG poll.

Whatever the results, counting on community taking care of the new fieldhouse.

The  Benjamin A. Smith Field House, aka Smith Field House, was formerly dedicated to  Albert Bachelor. 

 

Mayor Kirk Asks You To Vote In This Good Harbor Footbridge Poll

Mayor Kirk is asking for community feedback-

Hi Joey,
We have a bit of a dilemma regarding the Good Harbor Beach footbridge.

The estimate we have for repairs is $65,000. This is basically a temporary fix and carries the risk of being washed away during the next big storms. Also, the Conservation Commission is throwing down the gauntlet on any more temporary fixes.

An alternative would be to have the broken section be replaced with an aluminum boat ramp-like structure. It would have a synthetic decking, four feet wide with railings, and hook in on just the ends (no pilings necessary). Total cost of this fix is $20,000, the ramp would be made here in Gloucester by a Gloucester company, and could be finished within 3 weeks. It could be removed in the event of a hurricane as well.

So I gotta ask GMG readers, which would you rather?

New England Charm? ($65,000 wooden temporary repair)

Or

Yankee Ingenuity? ($20,000 aluminum repair on broken section, rest would remain wood).

Your readers probably photograph / paint this view more than most so we thought we’d start here to gather feedback.

Thanks!
Mayor Kirk

I’m Not Feeling My Good Harbor Footbridge Repair Prediction

On the March 30th podcast with Paul Morrison and Paulie Walnuts I set the over/under on when I thought the Good harbor Beach Footbridge would be repaired at the third Saturday of May.  Haven’t seen any work on it yet. 

Hope I’m not too far off on the prediction because as of today it looks like the OVER is the better bet.

We will see.

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