The Memorial Field complex is comprised of approximately 14 separate tracts of land over a 36-acre park in Ward 6 of Concord.

The City of Concord owns 100% of Memorial Field athletic facilities, despite them being the home athletic facilities of the Concord School District (CSD) SAU #8. CSD represents a majority of the permitted use of Memorial Field. Under Capital Improvement Plan #557, there are plans to significantly renovate this Complex. The current proposal is to spend $31,724,807 on renovating and constructing a new 5,000 sq ft field house, 8 lane track, grandstand, fields & drainage, lights, courts and parking etc. 

The funding for this project is proposed to be split 50/50 between the City of Concord & Concord School District. With half of the proposed cost to be paid by the City of Concord, it means that those residents of Wards 1 & 2 who already belong to Merrimack Valley School District (MVSD) will be responsible for paying toward this project as well. 

Not only will these residents be expected to pay MVSD taxes, they also will be forced to pay towards the tax burden of this $31,724,807 improvement to the athletic facilities used by Concord School District. 

We feel that this is one of the most prominent inequities facing MVSD today. 

It is worth noting that aside from this project, MVSD utilizes Rolfe Park in Penacook which is also owned by the City of Concord. Unlike CSD’s use of Memorial Field however, MVSD does not represent a majority of the permitted use of Rolfe Park.

MVSD also pays $182,000 per year toward the upkeep of their athletic facilities. Plus, Penacook residents are also contributing toward Memorial field upkeep every year through the City portion of their taxes. 

We call upon the Mayor and City Council of Concord, New Hampshire to do the following:

Require that Concord School District pay the full cost for all improvements to the athletic facilities and parking at the Memorial Field complex as part of Capital Improvement Plan #557. Thus, the taxpayers of Merrimack Valley School District are treated fairly and equitably.

Concord residents, please add your address or Ward number.

The following individuals contributed to the creation of this petition and did so as residents of Penacook:

Devin Rodrique (Ward 1)
Jesse Wheeler Russel (Ward 2)
Jackie Cournoyer Brochu (Ward 1)
Faith Wilson (Ward 1)
Mark Wilson (Ward 1)