Partnership of Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester and Martin Richard Foundation will make meaningful impact on lives of children in Boston and beyond

Boston - On April 17, 2025, Governor Maura Healey announced that the state had committed $12 million in new resources toward the construction of FieldHouse+ in Dorchester, a generational project conceived by the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester and the Martin Richard Foundation that will provide state-of-the-art athletic, recreational and education opportunities for thousands of young people in Boston and surrounding communities. 

Governor Healey announced the state funding commitment at a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday where she joined leaders from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, the Martin Richard Foundation, Mayor Michelle Wu, members of Congress, legislators, project donors and others. The state capital funding will help unlock further philanthropic donations that will enable the project to be completed in 2026.

“My administration is thrilled to support this truly transformative project that will make a difference in lives of thousands of young people, not just in Dorchester, but throughout Boston and the surrounding communities,” said Governor Healey. “I’m deeply grateful to Bill Richard and the Martin Richard Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club for their vision and leadership. By creating this space to bring children from different neighborhoods and backgrounds together to compete, exercise and learn, we are building stronger and healthier communities.”

“I’ve seen how the Boys and Girls Club can bring positive change to neighborhoods, cities and make an impact in the lives of our young people,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This project ensures that our youth in Dorchester and the city of Boston have access to a safe, modern, accessible space to compete and grow together.”

“This project represents a terrific opportunity to invest in the lives and potential of our young people. The vision laid out by the Boys & Girls Club and the Martin Richard Foundation is inspiring and I’m pleased that we have been able to identify the resources for the state to meaningfully contribute and unlock additional funding to bring this project to completion,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz.

The FieldHouse+ project is a $70 million project spearheaded by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and the Martin Richard Foundation. The 75,000 square-foot athletic and recreational facility has been designed to serve Boston youth of all ages and abilities, including an indoor turf field, teaching kitchen, community theatre, indoor and outdoor courts, roof garden, indoor running and walking track, a music studio, fitness centers, and more.

“The FieldHouse will serve thousands of students in Dorchester and across Boston, delivering a beautiful, inspiring resource that City kids deserve,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am deeply grateful to Bill, Denise, and the entire family, the Dorchester Boys & Girls Club, and the many generous donors who have come together to invest in Boston’s young people, and I thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our state delegation for their tremendous support for this visionary project.”

Nearby Boston Public School students will also have access to the facility during the school day.

“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Healey and her Administration for this important investment in our community. The FieldHouse+ will provide young people across Boston and Massachusetts the opportunity to compete in a state-of-the-art facility,” said Bill Richard, co-founder of the Martin Richard Foundation. “This Capital Campaign has been a team effort from the beginning, bringing together public and private institutions to support the next generation. We wouldn’t be here without the state leadership of House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz and tireless advocacy of our local Representative Dan Hunt, and the commitment of so many others to help us make this dream a reality.”

“We are thankful to Governor Healey for her support and generous funding for The FieldHouse+. This significant investment of $12 million will bring us closer to opening the doors of this state-of-the-art facility that will serve thousands of youth and families of all abilities throughout Dorchester, Boston and Massachusetts,” said Bob Scannell, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester. “Our communities deserve access to the?types of?programming?and services?that will be?provided??in The FieldHouse+.?Our youth deserve the best, and I commend the Governor for supporting our efforts to reach and serve more children & families with meaningful impact!”

“I am proud to have worked with Governor Healey as well as our federal, state and local legislative delegation in support of this project since its inception, including efforts to secure federal and state funding. Thanks to the leadership of Bill and Denise Richard, the Martin Richard Foundation and the Dorchester Boys and Girls Club’s collaboration has brought their vision to life, in the spirit of Martin. A unique community resource, The FieldHouse+ will undoubtedly pave the way for increased athletic opportunities resulting in better health and socioeconomic outcomes for future generations of Boston’s youth for years to come,” said Senator Nick Collins, of South Boston.

“The groundbreaking of The FieldHouse+ marks a powerful moment for Dorchester and for the entire city of Boston. This incredible project is the result of years of dedication and vision from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and Denise and Bill Richard, whose tireless work through the Martin Richard Foundation has inspired us all. From the very beginning, they sought input from the community, especially our young people, and built this vision alongside them,” said Representative Daniel Hunt (D- Dorchester). “The result is a truly transformative space that will foster inclusion, opportunity, and connection for generations to come. I’m deeply grateful to Governor Healey, Speaker Mariano, and my colleagues in the Legislature for recognizing the importance of this project and lending their support. The FieldHouse+ represents the very best of what we can achieve when we come together with purpose and heart.”