The city of Lewiston is acquiring a 7-acre athletic field complex near the former Holy Cross School and plans to retain the property for recreation.

Last month, the City Council unanimously approved the acquisition of 20 Martin Drive from Prince of Peace Parish for $210,000.

“Buying (the fields) means the city of Lewiston can keep 7 acres of recreation space that families have enjoyed for decades,” City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath said Monday. “Having a space like this for active recreation is rare, and it’s a real gift to be able to preserve it.”

According to organizers of Lewiston Cal Ripken Baseball, which has leased the fields from the diocese for decades, the future of the fields was in some doubt this year leading up to news that the former Holy Cross School will close.

However, city staff said once the decision was made to sell the Martin Drive property, Father Daniel Greenleaf from Prince of Peace Parish approached the city about its interest in purchasing the parcel to allow the complex to remain a recreational space instead of other possible uses.

Last month, the diocese announced the K-8 program at the former Holy Cross School will close and move to the Auburn campus of St. Dominic Academy in January 2026.

Allison Lytton, president of Lewiston Cal Ripken Baseball, told officials recently that as the parish was considering the sale, the two sides were unable to come to a new lease agreement for use of the fields.

Lytton told councilors on Oct. 21 that the Little League organization is strongly in support of the city’s purchase, with hopes that the volunteer-run league can continue to use the fields it has maintained and invested in for years. She estimated the organization has put $150,000 in the property, and continues to pay for the utilities.

Lytton said the league was informed in March that the fields were to be sold. The organization requested a right of first refusal to purchase the property but didn’t get it, she said.

However, with the sale going to the city and not a private developer, “We believe the facility will be better served under the stewardship of a more transparent and invested entity,” she said.

In a Nov. 16 news bulletin from Prince of Peace Parish, Greenleaf told parishioners about the sale of the property, stating that it is no longer needed with the school moving to Auburn.

“There have been a lot of rumors floating around the city about what the diocese is doing with that property, he said. “… (We) decided to sell it to the city with the sole purpose of keeping it open to everyone. I think it is a good thing for everyone involved, and I believe it remains faithful to the donor who gave it to the parish many years ago.”

Last month, Deputy City Administrator Brian O’Malley told the council the parish originally considered breaking the land into house lots. But, he said, Greenleaf told him he wanted Lewiston Cal Ripken Baseball to retain the use.

O’Malley, along with Councilor Michael Roy, said they coached teams at those fields.

“I coached my son in T-ball there when he was 5. He’s now 29,” O’Malley said. “So it’s been a part of the community there for a long time.”

Kevin Gagne, director of Public Works, said with his department down staff, they would want to “partner with those existing groups” to help support and maintain the fields as they are now.

“I’m happy that these fields will continue to be used for our city’s youth,” Mayor Carl Sheline said Monday.