A $2 million allocation of federal funds will enable the City of East Providence to make some much-needed improvements to Pierce Memorial Field, including a brand new track, ADA improvements to enable better access to the track, and other amenities for the public to enjoy.

The East Providence City Council voted 4-0 during their Feb. 17 meeting to approve the city allocating $163,000 of that federal funding to go towards entering into an agreement with Pare Corporation, who will develop the actual design for the project, acquire permits, draw up construction documents and run the bidding process.

If things go to plan, East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva said in a recent interview that construction on the historic field could begin as soon as July — following graduation season and the Fourth of July festivities that often require use of the field.

In addition to the new track and a new ADA ramp providing safe access to the field, the Pierce Field improvements will include a paved area along the northern end of the field for food trucks to be able to set up for events. The construction will enable the city to improve drainage infrastructure at the field as well.

And in exciting news for middle school athletes, the new facility will include a jump pit for track and field athletes to practice long jump and triple jump.

“It’s going to repair the track so our middle school program, as well as the good youth track program that has been started in the city, has a home,” said East Providence Council Vice President Frank Rego. “Every so often when we ask for something, and it happens…That will only help the boys and girls of middle school age and the program. It’s just a good thing, and nice to add it. They’ll have the full array of track and field that they need.”

Project history goes back to 2024

Residents may recall plans being announced for this project a couple years ago. Indeed, the $2 million is the same that was allocated back in March of 2024.

DaSilva explained that initially, the city had hoped to enter into a contract with a United Soccer League (USL) team, who they would ask to contribute some money of their own to make modifications to the field to make it large enough for professional soccer. When that fell through, they hoped to court Rhode Island FC for their inaugural season before their stadium in Pawtucket was ready. They opted to go to Bryant University for that season, instead.

Now, the city is ready to go full steam ahead with this newest iteration of the plan.

“I think there’s a lot of room to do this now that we’re not going to do the turfing at the field. We’re going to keep the natural grass, which is appropriate for the use,” said East Providence City Council President Bob Rodericks. “Pierce Stadium is used…almost daily, with the entire complex, and we need to keep it up…Pierce Stadium is still the great complex that it always has been, and it’s going to get better.”