Haverhill, MA (October 6, 2026) – Northern Essex Community College has announced plans for significant upgrades to its outdoor athletic facilities. Construction is underway on the Haverhill Campus to create a new, modern baseball field, soccer and multi-purpose field, and an eight-lane track. The new facilities will give NECC teams that currently practice and compete at off-campus locations dedicated athletic spaces on campus.
“Northern Essex has become a nationally recognized athletics program thanks in large part to the dedication of our coaches, staff, and student athletes. By ensuring they have access to safe, modern, and convenient facilities for practices and games, we’re investing in our students’ continued success on and off the field,” said NECC President Lane Glenn.
The fields will be constructed on the existing seven acres in the southwest corner of the campus along Kenoza Street. The initial phase of construction includes improving the playing surfaces to artificial turf and reorienting their current locations. The finished complex will include an NCAA regulation field surrounded by the eight-lane track and a baseball field optimized for players and spectators.
“These upgrades not only allow our programs to continue to grow, but they provide an opportunity for the college to host regional and even national tournaments,” said NECC Executive Vice President and CFO/COO Michael McCarthy, noting the fields will be available for rent to local clubs, organizations, and schools. “We are creating something that will benefit our communities holistically.”
“This has been a long time coming; it’s great to see this project coming to fruition. This will likely be the finest on-campus facility at the two-year college level in the Northeast, which will elevate the overall student-athlete experience at the college,” said NECC Athletic Director Dan Blair.
McCarthy added that the fields will be financed through a variety of funding sources. The NECC Foundation Inc. is actively fundraising for the completion of the project. For more information, contact Allison M. Dolan-Wilson, NECC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Workforce & Academic Innovation & Executive Director, NECC Foundation.
The project is expected to be completed in early 2027.
Rendering of completed complex
