This artist’s rendering looking toward Veterans Memorial Gym shows one option for new seating at Cobb Stadium.
Photo: Aceto Kimball Landscape Architecture & Urban Design
By Zendelle Bouchard
The City Council got its first look at concepts for the revitalization of Cobb Stadium at its April 7 meeting. Seth Kimball of Aceto Kimball Landscape Architecture & Urban Design presented various options for a master plan based on input from residents who attended a community design workshop held in February.
Suggestions from the workshop participants included adding night lighting, changing the dimensions of the track and field to make it suitable for a wider variety of uses, improving accessibility and adding infrastructure including multi-use seating, additional parking, restrooms and a concession stand.
Kimball’s preliminary design thins the track to a walkway, which allows the field to be expanded to a size large enough for any sport. Creating an ADA-compliant parking area near the main entrance means handicapped residents will have easier access to the site, he said. Creation or improvement of additional parking areas, and better connections to the trails and schools would approve accessibility for all.
Options for seating to replace the bleachers that formerly stood at the site include grassy terraces similar to what the city installed at the beach at Holdsworth Park/Springvale Rec, wooden bench seating and concrete steps. The pathway from the main entrance would slope down gradually through the seating area to maximize safety and accessibility.
At the south end of the stadium, a building to house restrooms and concessions, with a large overhang to shelter athletes during a sudden storm, would be shared with Blouin Field. On the north end of the field, there could be a grassy warmup area for athletes and a possible playground for little kids. The iconic old scoreboard will be retained.
This plan shows new infrastructure elements around a redesigned Cobb Stadium.
Photo: Aceto Kimball Landscape Architecture & Urban Design
One possibility for the area behind Sanford Pride Elementary School is an amphitheater that could be used for outdoor classes or performances. Kimball said there were a variety of ways it could be integrated into the site.
City officials will continue to offer feedback to the architects, who will return for a second update on May 17. Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy said she expects whatever plan is adopted will take multiple years to complete. Kimball added that planning the project in phases makes it easier to attract funding.
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