by Neil W. McCabe

State Sen. Charles E. Shannon, D-Somerville, announced Sept. 17 the governor approved the fiscal year 2004 supplemental budget, including the Dilboy Stadium project to be fully funded at $8 million.

“I am absolutely thrilled that a new Dilboy Stadium has received final approval from the governor,” Shannon said.

“As our economy improves, it’s important that we continue to invest in the recreational facilities that bring communities together. With this funding, we will make sure Dilboy Stadium is once again a place that everyone in Somerville can enjoy,” said Gov. W. Mitt Romney, a Republican.

“I’ve been through three Republican governors who did not see fit to fund this project, and I am extremely grateful to Governor Romney for retaining this funding and getting the prospect of a new stadium back on track,” he said.

Shannon said his intense personal lobbying led to the successful funding for Dilboy, which culminated in personal meetings with the governor’s staff in the week before the final decision, and his making of a persuasive case to Secretary of Administration and Finance Eric A. Kriss.

“I can’t say enough about Governor Romney and his staff. We had numerous meeting and conversations over the last several months, and throughout the entire process, they were very courteous, straightforward and receptive,” he said.

“It’s certainly refreshing to see this bipartisan endeavor go forward, as they obviously judged this project on its merits, and the tremendous positive impact it will have on Somerville, its youth, and the entire community,” he said.

Shannon also praised the newly configured Department of Conservation and Recreation, as lead agency for the development, being much more responsive to the inefficient former Metropolitan District Commission, which he said squandered funds earmarked for Dilboy Stadium.

Shannon said he promised to follow up with the governor and DCR to aggressively schedule the start of this project.