Leominster breaks ground on new elementary school this month

The Leominster School Committee announced Monday that a formal groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fall Brook School project is scheduled for Nov. 19.

The announcement came during a facilities and infrastructure update at the committee's regular meeting. Committee members noted that the milestone marks the start of construction following five years of planning and design work.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the school site at 9 or 9:30 a.m. The event will be open to the public, students, parents and municipal officials, rain or shine.

Committee members noted that careful planning by subcommittees helped refine the building design to deliver a modern educational facility. Officials compared the process to earlier planning efforts for Sky View Middle School, which has functioned successfully since opening.

Once construction begins, it should take about two years. The new school building should open in fall 2028; demolition of the existing building will follow, with all construction activities completed around October 2029.

Fall Brook Elementary was constructed in 1966, with minor updates in 2006 and 2012. According to documents on the project's website, the project will replace a building that lacks security and fire protection systems, as well as specialized learning spaces. In addition, the current school has no space for music, art and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs.

Details about the project may be found here.

High school fields project

During the facilities report, members also reviewed progress on the high school practice fields and running track project. Most of the excavation and earth removal is finished, with hydroseeding and asphalt paving completed across the property.

Crews have installed black vinyl chain-link fencing extending along Kingman Street to Colonial Drive. Electrical utility connections are complete, and workers are installing safety guardrails along the new service access road behind the Career and Technical Education building.

Committee members reported that applying the final synthetic running surface to the track may be postponed until spring. The general contractor expressed concern that cold overnight autumn temperatures could prevent proper curing and jeopardize the product warranty.

Career and technical education students contributed directly to the sports complex by framing a storage garage on the site. A planned concession stand to be named in honor of Gina Warner will be built once mechanical systems are installed.

Officials stressed that the high school athletic facility was built primarily to provide safe practice spaces and a running track for Leominster students rather than for commercial rental. For decades, students practiced on rocky fields that posed safety hazards.

Field lighting was addressed during the update, with members explaining that wiring and conduits were roughed in during initial bidding so lights could be installed as funding permits. The lights will allow teams to finish practices after darkness falls in the late afternoon.

Members noted favorable construction bids came in lower than budgeted estimates, allowing the district to complete additional site improvements that were initially uncertain. A project closeout meeting will be scheduled with the superintendent and committee leadership to review the final punch list for the complex.

In addition to the high school fields, the committee discussed upcoming work at Doyle Field. The city plans to install new artificial turf at Doyle Field next summer, replacing synthetic turf that has been in place for approximately 15 years.

Committee members noted that requests for memorial benches at Doyle Field have been temporarily paused to ensure future placements are arranged appropriately.

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Leominster breaks ground on new elementary school this month

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