New Tewksbury Recreation Program Coming Into Focus; YMCA Has Expressed Interest

Town seeks service provider to operate program at Livingston, other sites

Town Manager Richard Montuori has issued a call for providers to supply year-round recreation programs and activities for children and adults using Tewksbury’s existing recreation building on Livingston St. as well as, potentially, other town-owned properties, including the North St. and Trahan school sites. The rec building, above, is currently mainly used a voting site for several precincts.

Montuori said the YMCA is considering a presence in Tewksbury.

“They are very interested in running programs for us at the Recreation Center and the Livingston complex, and I expect them to respond to the RFP,” Montuori told the Carnation.  

Tewksbury does not currently operate a town Recreation Department, unlike many surrounding communities. Last year, Tewksbury Families for Recreation set out to change that. The group’s Facebook page signed on almost 350 members just a few days and now numbers about 1,100 residents. There is also a website, at www.tewksburyforrecreation.org, where those interested can sign up to assist or just stay informed. A survey by the group, taken by almost 800 residents, showed 87% believe currently available recreation offerings are insufficient, and 97% said they’d be willing to pay a fee for additional programming.

In neighboring communities, recreation departments are self-funding or even return money to the town.

Montuori’s RFP stipulates that applicants should have at least five years’ experience running recreation programs and activities in Massachusetts and be fully licensed and insured. The town will make some updates to the rec center building and continue maintaining the structure and equipment, while the contractor will lease the building and cover utilities and cleaning. Services may begin as soon as May, based on response, and should complement existing programs within the community.

“It’s remarkable to witness such rapid progress at the town level in such a short time,” said Tewksbury Families for Recreation co-founder Kate Bugda Gwilt. “This timeline is unprecedented and speaks volumes about the dedication of our town staff and manager to the well-being of our community.”

The Saunders recreation building has 3,800 square feet of office and program space plus a 525 sf kitchen. Some residents will recall that in 2012, the former director of the Tewksbury Recreation Department was charged with larceny under $250 and violating conflict-of-interest laws. The resulting dissolution of that department led to Tewksbury Public Schools taking over the summer day care program, which is now run by contractor Alphabest out of the Wynn. The program proposed by Montuori will not affect residents’ ability to use the outdoor fields or facilities at Livingston. He added that budget realities mean a staff recreation director position is not in the cards for FY 2025; his hope is that the function can be successfully performed by third-party providers.

A separate RFP issued by Montuori for the Trahan property notes that the Trahan and North St. Reuse Committee issued a report that indicated a desire to maintain a significant portion of the site, including the playground, for open space and recreation for the community. It also stipulates retention of a tree buffer.

Responses to both the Recreation Programs and Activities and Trahan RFPs are due by Feb. 15. Anyone interested may request a copy from the Town Manager’s office.