By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Biddeford voters will soon decide the fate of a $6 million bond that would be used to upgrade, repair and enhance several of the city’s recreational assets, including parks, playgrounds and buildings.

On Tuesday, the Biddeford Gazette was invited to tour some of the sites that need upgrades and repairs.

Lisa Thompson has been the director of the Biddeford Recreation Department for a little more than three years.

Thompson says she wants people “to feel proud” of Biddeford’s parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities.

If approved by voters, the
recreation bond will have a $38
impact on the average homeowner

Currently, Thompson says her staff is spending more time on patching problems on aging infrastructure instead of focusing on services and programs for city residents.

“Basically, we have a never-ending to-do list,” Thompson said, pointing out that funding for recreation is often considered to be a luxury item, ignoring how many residents use their services and programs.

Thompson concedes that the $6 million bond will likely not cover everything on her “to-do list,” but said the funding will allow her department to tackle “high priority” repairs and upgrades.

City Manager Truc Dever said that if the bond is approved by voters, the city will begin a community engagement effort to see which projects residents most support.

“Ultimately, the city council will have the final say, but we want the public to be actively involved in the decision-making process,” Dever said.

If approved by voters, the recreation bond will have an impact of a little more than nine cents on the mil rate.

Based on the average bond payment, the impact of this question on a median home valued at $382,500 is $37.62, according to city officials.

RELATED: Detailed bond information here

The tour revealed several examples of aging and inefficient infrastructure that is currently being funded in a piecemeal manner that does not address long-term needs.

Our tour began in the very same building where the Recreation Department is housed: The J. Richard Martin Community Center on Alfred Street.

In addition to housing the Recreation Department, the building is also used by a number of non-profit community groups, including La Kermesse, Meals on Wheels and the 50-Plus club. Those clubs all pay leases for their respective spaces in the building.

The Community Center – formerly a public school — was built in 1888, and it is showing its age.

The building’s heating, ventilation and cooling costs have been skyrocketing because of inefficiencies and an outdated heating and ventilation system with an old boiler and a giant oil-fired hot water tank.

According to Facilities Coordinator Brian Dunphe, it takes an average of 500 gallons of heating oil each week to keep the building heated.

“We’re spending roughly $65,000 per year just for heating oil,” Dunphe said.

Our next stop was at St. Louis Field, located at the corner of Hill and West streets.

St. Louis Field is used by the Biddeford High School baseball teams and is home to the annual La Kermesse Festival. The University of New England also rents the field for its baseball teams.

The field’s perimeter fence is rotting, and its concrete anchors are cracked and visible. The current fence sags and is a stark contrast to the nearby Waterhouse Field, which is operated and controlled by the Biddeford School Department.

Dunphe said a 2023 estimate for replacement of the fencing was $380,000.

At Rotary Park, the club house building does not meet standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA) The bath house needs a new roof, and you can see where plywood was placed to prevent birds from nesting in the roof.

At Mayfield Park on May Street, we came across a group of young adults playing basketball not far from tennis courts that need to be resurfaced.

“We need activities that young people can use,” said Gabe Smith, who said he visits the park two to three times per week. “Young people need resources and positive, safe opportunities.”

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved

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