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LOWELL — Cawley Stadium will require an estimated $7.4 million in repairs to address interior and exterior concerns.

The figure was produced by the Weymouth-based engineering firm Gale, which was hired by the city last year amid conversations about improving the stadium, which is used by Lowell High School teams. The stadium was built in 1937 and can host about 6,000 spectators.

Due to ongoing supply chain issues, a 7% escalation figure was included with the company’s report. The escalated figure places the cost above $7.9 million.

To produce a report, Gale conducted field observations, an internal leak audit and hazardous materials testing. Despite the issues, disruptions are not expected for athletes competing at Cawley.

Among the issues outlined in Gale’s report were cracking concrete at the stadium’s grandstands. The issues were found on the grandstands’ rising parapet walls.

At the grandstands, the company recommended removing loose concrete materials and installing new waterproofing. Removing vegetative growth and staining, painting the grandstand signs and applying reinforced concrete coating was also advised.

“Based on the evaluation, it appears that the as-built condition of the concrete structure does not pose a structural concern regarding occupancy/use of the facility,” Gale said.

Although the grandstand issues do not pose a structural concern, the company said they have led to areas of moisture infiltration inside.

According to the internal leak audit, there is water damage exhibiting itself in peeling or bubbling paint, staining and mold.

Gale observed water damage on interior finishes throughout the stadium, including the gypsum ceilings and acoustic ceiling tiles, concrete flooring, masonry units and gypsum wallboards.

“The existing concrete topping slab and expansion joints at the grandstands were observed to be deteriorated, in poor condition and contributing to moisture infiltration throughout the interior spaces below,” the report states.

To mitigate moisture infiltration and damage, the company recommended replacing the areas of deteriorating ceiling and wall finishes.

Where the existing gypsum ceiling will remain in place, Gale recommended that it be scraped, primed and painted. The same recommendation was made for the wood walls of the stadium’s press box.

In the men’s locker room, standing water was observed below a failed expansion joint, leading Gale to recommend that new lockers be installed. Local philanthropists and charitable groups have already been working on raising money for the locker rooms.

On the exterior facade, Gale found it ranged from “fair-to-poor condition,” depending on elevation and wall construction.

Deterioration of the exterior façade and the interior finishes appear to be localized to the expansion joints, where sealant had failed.

“The failed expansion joints extend from the top side of the grandstands to the underside of the concrete and appear to allow water through the stadium, causing spalling/cracking and efflorescence at adjacent concrete. Interior finishes were also observed to incur water damage along failed expansion joints, particularly at the ceilings, walls, and floors of the locker rooms,” the report states.

Gale recommended replacing the existing sealant and backer rods with two applications of sealant and backer rod, to the top side and underside. Doing so should help mitigate moisture infiltration throughout the rest of the stadium.

Additionally, Gale recommended repairing cracked, spalled and delaminated concrete at the façade and grandstand’s rising walls to prevent moisture infiltration. If left as is, the conditions could expose the embedded steel structure to weather and result in rust or corrosion.

To mitigate atmospheric staining and vegetative growth, Gale recommended that the façade be cleaned. Afterwards, rising concrete walls, guardrails and handrails, should be scraped, primed and painted.

At the press box, Gale recommended replacing areas of broken or missing vinyl siding and sheet metal flashing. The company noted some areas had already been replaced to address mismatched colors.

As part of the Cawley Stadium report, Gale worked with Peer Consultants to conduct a hazardous materials assessment.

Asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, and microbial deposits were found in various spaces throughout the stadium. The company advised replacing these components and disposing of them, in accordance with state law.

“In general, asbestos was found in the asphaltic roofing tar at the second-floor mechanical space; PCBs were found in sealant materials at the press box, concrete crack repairs, and sidewalk joints,” the report said. “Lead paint was found at the wall and ceiling of the press box. Microbial deposits were found at the gypsum and acoustical ceiling tile finishes at both the men’s and women’s locker rooms.”

The synthetic turf field was replaced in 2020 and the track was resurfaced in 2021.

The report was provided to the City Council on Jan. 25 and can be read at tinyurl.com/5n92ybxn.

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