Leicester High School Campus Project

Overview

In Spring 2021, Becker College announced it would be permanently closing its Worcester and Leicester campuses.  In June 2021, the Town of Leicester entered into a license agreement with Becker College to explore the possibility of acquiring its Leicester holdings.  The proposed acquisition was passed at the September 14th, 2021, Special Town Meeting and at the September 21st, 2021, Special Election.  The Town of Leicester took full ownership of the Becker Leicester Campus on December 29th, 2021. 

The Leicester High School Campus (former Becker Campus) includes nineteen (19) buildings which include administrative offices, residence halls, recreation facilities, and academic spaces. Today, the Town of Leicester is actively making improvements to the campus and facilitating its future reuse.

For more information on the Leicester High School Campus Project, please see below or contact the Town Administrator's office at 508-892-7077.

Active Projects/Initiatives

The Leicester High School Campus Project is a multi-phased project to convert the former college campus into an asset for the community.

  • Leicester High School (Former Campus Center/Campus Center West)
    • Status: Open
    • Use: Leicester Public Schools
    • Purpose: Academic Building
    • Ongoing Project(s)
      • Permanent Wall Project - Contractor Selected, Awaiting Design Blueprints
      • Stair Rails Project - In design review w/ Building Inspector, Awaiting Design Blueprints
    • Project Timeline(s)
      • Permanent Wall Project
        • November 2022: Anticipated Construction
        • October 2022: 100% Design Plans
      • Stair Rails Project
        • TBD
  • Borger Building
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Leicester Public Schools
    • Purpose: Academic Building
    • Ongoing Projects
      • Fire Suppression – Blueprints Received, Pending Bidding
      • Fire Alarm – Design Received, Pending Bidding
      • ADA Improvements – Design Pending
      • HVAC Repairs and Improvements – Repairs to existing system ongoing; awaiting quote on improvements  
    • Project Timeline(s)
      • October 2022: Architectural Design (ADA Improvements) Award
      • December 2022: 100% Design Plans (ADA Improvements)
      • January 2023: Project Bidding
      • February 2023: Bid Review and Award
      • March 2023-August 2023: Construction
      • August 2023: Anticipated Completion/Open Date
  • Knight Hall
    • Status: Partially Open
    • Use: Leicester Public Schools
    • Purpose: Locker Rooms
    • Ongoing Project(s): There are no active projects at this time.
  • Swan Library
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Leicester Public Schools
    • Purpose: TBD
    • Ongoing Project(s): There are no active projects at this time.
  • Turf Field
    • Status: Open
    • Use: Leicester Public Schools
    • Purpose: Recreation/Sports
    • Ongoing Project(s)
      • Turf Field Fencing - Install a partial fence to complement the existing fence at the Leicester High School football field.
    • Project Timeline(s)
      • September 2022-October 2022: Request for Quotes
      • October 2022: Quote Review and Award
      • November 2022: Construction
      • December 2022: Anticipated Completion Date
  • Marsh Hall
    • Status: Open
    • Use: Town of Leicester/Board of Health
    • Purpose: Offices
    • Ongoing Project(s)
      • ADA Accessibility Assessment - Determine accessibility needs at Marsh Hall.
    • Project Timeline(s)
      • TBD
  • 1812 House, Russell Hall, Winslow Hall, Hitchcock Hall, Lane Hall:
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Sell Properties (Surplus)
    • Purpose: Private Use
    • Ongoing Project(s)
      • A Sale of Contents is anticipated prior to the sale of the building.– Deemed surplus by vote of the Select Board; Sale tentatively scheduled for December 1.  Currently planning a sale of contents of these properties in late October.
    • Project Timeline(s)
      • October 2022: Sale of Contents
      • December 1, 2022: Sale of Public Property (Tentatively Scheduled)
  • Barrett House
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Town of Leicester (Temporary)
    • Purpose: Municipal Shelter (Temporary), Potential Lease Property
    • Ongoing Project(s) 
      • Building/Room Preparation - Cleaning and preparing rooms with household items for emergency use.
    • Project Timeline(s)
      • November 2022: Anticipated Completion/Open Date
  • Lenfest Animal Health Center
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Undetermined, Potential Leicester Public Schools
    • Purpose: Potential Vet Clinic, Potential Lease Property
    • Ongoing Project(s)
      • There are no active projects at this time.
    • Project Timeline(s)
      • September 2022: Recommendation by FBAC to Select Board for school reuse.
      • October 2022: Review of recommendation by Select Board and decision.
      • October 2022*: School Building Assessment (TBD*)
  • Staff House
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Undetermined
    • Purpose: TBD
    • Ongoing Project(s): There are no active projects at this time.
  • Hampshire Hall
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Undetermined
    • Purpose: Potential Lease Property
    • Ongoing Project(s): There are no active projects at this time.
  • Berkshire Hall
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Undetermined
    • Purpose: Potential Lease Property
    • Ongoing Project(s): There are no active projects at this time.
  • Maintenance Garage
    • Status: Closed
    • Use: Undetermined
    • Purpose: TBD
    • Ongoing Project(s): There are no active projects at this time.

Former Becker Advisory Committee

In September 2022, the Select Board established the Former Becker Advisory Committee (FBAC) to advise and assist the town with the reuse efforts of the new Leicester High School Campus and affiliated facilities. Meetings are open to the public and will be hybrid/televised on LCAC when possible. Interested in volunteering for the Former Becker Advisory Committee? Click here to fill out a volunteer application: https://leicesterma.seamlessdocs.com/f/BdCommVolunteerForm.

Click on the documents below for additional information regarding the Becker acquisition/supplemental project materials.