A city-owned 75-year-old stadium in Boston’s historic Franklin Park will be renovated for a new National Women’s Soccer League team. The park, designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted in the 1880s, is the home of White Stadium, which was built in 1949 and has since fallen into disrepair. Franklin Park is conveniently located near the Green Street and Forest Hills Orange Line stops and is easily accessible by walking and biking.
The renovation will add spaces, accessibility, systems, and amenities needed to be a citywide resource and will be used as an athletic facility for Boston schools’ athletic programs. The building team will take special care to preserve White Stadium’s art deco façade as well as Franklin Park’s heritage trees and pastoral paths. Improvements to White Stadium will include roof canopies over new grandstand seating areas that will hold 10,000 spectators and the addition of a mixed-use space with food and beverage offerings that opens out to the Playstead playing fields. Called “The Grove,” the event lawn will host events such as tai chi, children’s storytelling, small performances, seasonal markets, and cultural gatherings programmed with a neighborhood advisory group.
The West Grandstand and Grove will be renovated into 75,000 sf of team areas, concessions, and fan lounges, leased by the professional team and renovated/rebuilt for their needs. The East Grandstand and field will be demolished and rebuilt by the city to accommodate a 75-yard-wide regulation field and track. It will also focus on Boston Public Schools needs with student wellness areas, locker rooms, athletic equipment storage, and school department offices.
“This project is a visionary partnership between the City of Boston, the Boston Public Schools, and Boston Unity Soccer Partners to leverage the significant investment of a professional women’s soccer team to benefit generations of Boston public schoolchildren,” said Tamara Roy, principal, Stantec.
Construction is expected to be substantially completed by March 2026.
On the building team:
Owner and/or developer: Boston Unity Soccer Club LLC
Architect: Stantec
Stadium Design Consultant: Moody Nolan
MPFP Engineer: VAV International
Electrical Engineer: ART
Structural Engineer: WSP
General Contractor/Construction Manager: N/A
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