Martin Richard will never be forgotten in Boston.

He was “a young boy whose spirit moves us to this day,” said Gov. Maura Healey.

Her words were echoed by everyone who spoke at the groundbreaking for The FieldHouse+ yesterday. It’s a $70 million rec center being built by the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester with millions in state, federal, and private funding.

All the politicians were in attendance, but their politics were put aside for a project that honors forever young Martin.

“It will change lives,” Bill Richard, Martin’s dad, said of the new field house. “We lost Martin 12 years ago this week, and I think of him often.” He was “fiesty” and “loyal” but with a “kindness” that has made an everlasting impression, Bill Richard added.

It was impossible not to feel a tug on your heart.

Martin Richard, 8, Krystle Campbell, 29, and Lu Lingzi, 23, were killed in the twin bombings at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. They were all spectators, like thousands of others, at the race to honor the ultimate endurance athletes.

Hundreds of others were injured and even maimed in the terror attack. MIT police officer Sean Collier, 27, was shot and killed during the manhunt for the suspects days later, and Boston police officer Dennis Simmonds, 28, died after a year from injuries sustained in a shootout with the bombers.

But that’s the nightmare.

Yesterday was a dream come true for so many who want to help the next generation of young athletes who just want a place to call their own. Healey’s announcement of $12 million in capital cash brought down the house, or tent as the rec center has yet to begin construction.

“This is the work we can feel good about,” Bob Scannell, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, said. “Kids are the ones who will lead us to a brighter future.”

The FieldHouse+ is set to open in next year and will be “free,” Scannell announced, to every child.

“This is the project, now is the time,” he added.

Martin would approve.

The new FieldHouse+ facility, to be located at 315 Mt. Vernon St. in Dorchester, is planned to be a 75,000 square-foot, athletic and recreational building serving kids in the neighborhood.

Bill Richard points to where the basketball courts will be to Gov. Maura Healey at the rec center in Dorchester. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Bill Richard hugs Mayor Michelle Wu. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Bill Richard takes a video for his daughter of the crowd as waves hello. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Southie Rep. Stephen Lynch addresses the rec center crowd. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Martin Richard, 8, with a poster he made in class. (Contributed photo)