NASHVILLE — Ever since the Lowell Spinners became a casualty of Minor League Baseball’s contraction in 2020, hope has lingered that the franchise could one day make a return. Local and state officials have worked to help make that a reality, and the Red Sox have notably refused to close the door on the possibility.

Yet while needed renovations are coming to LeLacheur Park, the prospect of a Red Sox affiliate returning to Lowell seems to be dimming.

Since the Spinners folded nearly four years ago, LeLacheur Park has sat mostly vacant. The 25-year-old facility continues to host the UMass Lowell baseball team, but lacking either a full-time minor league affiliate or even an independent club, the park has fallen into a state of disrepair.

That may soon change. In July 2022, the City of Lowell agreed to sell LeLacheur Park to the UMass Building Authority for $1 million, effectively handing control of the facility to UMass Lowell. The deal also calls for the university to invest up to $3 million into the property over five years, though UMass President Marty Meehan said at the time he expected to make an initial investment of $5-7 million to cover deferred maintenance and needed improvements.

Meehan also said he envisions the reinvigorated LeLacheur Park as the centerpiece of UMass Lowell’s East Campus redevelopment, and that a larger renovation could be possible if the new East Campus generates sufficient private investment. The ultimate hope is to attract a new professional club, ideally a Red Sox affiliate.

According to Jonathan Strunk, UMass Lowell’s executive director for Communications Strategy, the deal closed this past April and renovation plans are now being developed.