Milford Schools is planning a new facility at Charity Lucas Field that will provide permanent restrooms, team locker rooms and an upgraded concession stand for student-athletes, families and visitors.
Developed in partnership with the Milford Athletic Boosters, the project will address several longstanding needs at the complex, including additional restrooms and dedicated changing areas, amenities that the current facility does not provide for student-athletes and spectators.
What Will the New Facility Include?
The proposed building will bring several important amenities together under one roof, including:
Team locker rooms: Two locker rooms, each equipped with 25 lockers and team benches, providing student-athletes with dedicated spaces to prepare for practices and games.
Upgraded concession stand: A concession area with exterior service windows, food preparation space and sinks to better serve visitors during athletic events.
Heating and cooling: A fully equipped heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to support use of the building throughout the year.
Fiber Internet Connections & Cameras: Plans also include provisions for fiber internet connectivity and security cameras. These improvements would support electronic payments at the concession stand and provide additional security coverage around the facility.
Indoor Space During Severe Weather: The new facility would provide student-athletes and coaching staff with access to an indoor space during severe weather that may occur during practices or games, an option that is not currently available at the field.
Understanding How the Project Will Be Funded
The proposed improvements at Charity Lucas Field would be funded through remaining eligible construction funds and investment earnings associated with the Milford Middle School project, along with a contribution from the Milford Athletic Boosters.
When voters approved the $68 million middle school bond issue in 2021, the project’s estimated costs reflected planning completed before the pandemic. Rising material and labor costs later increased the anticipated cost of completing the school.
To help cover that difference, the district secured additional financing through certificates of participation, commonly called COPs. This financing provided additional construction funding, with payments spread over time. Like the original bonds, COPs carry repayment obligations.
Throughout construction, the district invested funds that were not yet needed for payments, earning interest while work progressed. The new Milford Middle School, completed in 2025, ultimately came in below the new, revised construction budget, leaving a balance of construction-related funds.
These restricted construction funds cannot be used for everyday school operating expenses, such as staff salaries, classroom supplies or transportation. They must be used for eligible purposes permitted under the financing agreements and applicable laws.
Investment earnings are also subject to federal requirements. When invested proceeds earn more than the borrowing yield, certain excess earnings, known as arbitrage earnings, may need to be paid to the federal government, depending on applicable rules and exceptions. Spending remaining funds on another project does not automatically eliminate that obligation.
By directing available, eligible construction funds toward Charity Lucas Field, the district can address longstanding facility needs with existing resources and booster support, without asking voters to approve an additional tax for this project.
Supporting Students and the Community
Improving the concession area and surrounding facilities at Charity Lucas Field has long been a priority for the Milford Athletic Boosters. Through this partnership, Milford Schools is excited to help bring these much-needed improvements to life, creating a better experience for our student-athletes, families and community.
While the primary purpose of the project is to better serve Milford's student-athletes and spectators, the improvements could also benefit the broader community.
Charity Lucas Field is used for athletic activities beyond regular district events. Adding permanent restrooms, locker rooms and an improved concession stand would make the complex more accommodating for outside organizations and groups interested in renting the facility.
These improvements could also create opportunities for additional rental revenue to support district operations.
What Happens Next?
A construction timeline has not yet been established. The district will continue working through the planning process and share additional information as details are finalized. Previously purchased "legacy bricks" at Charity Lucas will be unaffected by construction.
Milford Schools appreciates the continued partnership of the Milford Athletic Boosters in helping improve athletic facilities and support opportunities for students.
Together, these improvements would address longstanding facility needs while creating a better experience for student-athletes, families and everyone who visits Charity Lucas Field.