GlennPaulC
2006-10-04 21:58:12 UTC
Latest info printed in the Lynn Daily Item on 10/4/06. I really hope
to see Drum Corps back in Lynn one day in the future!
Lynn's Field of Dreams:
LYNN - The Lynn Tech football team will make history Friday when it
plays Chelsea in the first game at the new Manning Field.
Although there is still considerable work to be done on what will
eventually be an $11.3 million facility, the first of the two phases is
nearly complete and the artificial turf field is ready to open for
business. Game time is 3:15 p.m.
There eventually will be a formal grand opening for the field, but
that won't be held until the entire project is completed, according to
Director of Inspectional Services Michael Donovan.
"We're doing what's called a soft opening," Donovan said, adding
that the contractors will be on site for several more weeks finishing
up the initial phase and going through their punch list.
"It's gratifying (to see the field at the point it's ready to be
used)," Donovan said. "We had a very tight schedule starting in April
and then May and June, with the rain, killed us."
Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. said he'll be at the field for Friday's
opening.
"It's a beautiful, beautiful facility," Clancy said. "When it's
complete it will be an awesome, multi-purpose facility for the people
of the city."
Although he would have been OK with waiting to open the field next
year, Clancy said he's thrilled that teams will get to start using it
this fall.
"Dealing with Manning Bowl has been a very emotional, sometimes
controversial matter," Clancy said, adding that the Manning Field
Commission did yeomen's work getting the project to this point.
The Classical and English High football teams, both on the road
this week, and St. Mary's, which has the weekend off, will have to wait
to test out the new turf. West Lynn Pop Warner will play on the field
Sunday and high school soccer will start using the new field on
Tuesday.
Visitors to the new field will still have to park on-street
because the lot, which will have a gravel surface until the final
paving and landscaping are done in Phase II, won't be usable for
another few weeks, Donovan said.
"We had the choice to wait (until the parking was available), but
the old Manning Bowl had no parking for 60-odd years," Donovan said,
adding he couldn't see having a usable field sit dormant for another
two or three weeks.
John Kasian works in the Community Development office where, among
other things, he serves as a liaison of sorts with City Hall and the
groups that will use the facility, including the schools.
"We were committed to not having the schools play on the road for
two years," Kasian said.
Deputy Police Chief Kevin Coppinger, who is also chairman of the
Manning Field Commission, also thought it was important to let the high
school players start using the field now rather than waiting for
everything to be completed.
"I think it looks great. The field is ready for the kids,"
Coppinger said, adding he's very happy with the way it turned out and
the fact there weren't many unexpected issues other than the heavy rain
last spring and the decision to go with a higher quality turf than was
originally planned.
"I think people will be very impressed, I really do" he said.
Phase I included construction of the field and track, lighting,
fencing and surrounding sidewalks and walkways. Phase II, which Donovan
said will go out to bid in January, will include construction of a
multi-use, three-story building to house team rooms, bathrooms, a
concession stand, ticket booth, referees' rooms, an elevator, an office
and a press box.The second phase will also involve the installation of
permanent bleachers (seating for 4,000) and parking lot paving. There
will be bleachers on both the Locust Street side of the field and the
Maple Street side.
Construction workers spent the last few days trying to finish
things up. Workers were scheduled to begin striping the track Wednesday
(the job was expected to take a few days). They also worked on the
black, four-foot high chain link fence that runs around the perimeter
of the track. Eventually, the track will be open to the public for
running, jogging and walking.
According to Donovan and Kasian, there were some areas of sidewalk
that still needed to be finished and the electrical hookups also had to
be tested and a meter installed. Although Friday's game starts early
enough that the lights won't be needed, the electrical system has to be
up and running in order to use the new scoreboard.
Contractors were also scheduled to install temporary bleachers
with seating for 750 prior to Friday, along with portable bathrooms. A
makeshift concession stand will also be available this fall.
One of the things that must be done before the field is ready for
night games is a light burn, which entails running the lights for 100
hours to make sure everything is working properly. Donovan said that
might be done over the weekend.
to see Drum Corps back in Lynn one day in the future!
Lynn's Field of Dreams:
LYNN - The Lynn Tech football team will make history Friday when it
plays Chelsea in the first game at the new Manning Field.
Although there is still considerable work to be done on what will
eventually be an $11.3 million facility, the first of the two phases is
nearly complete and the artificial turf field is ready to open for
business. Game time is 3:15 p.m.
There eventually will be a formal grand opening for the field, but
that won't be held until the entire project is completed, according to
Director of Inspectional Services Michael Donovan.
"We're doing what's called a soft opening," Donovan said, adding
that the contractors will be on site for several more weeks finishing
up the initial phase and going through their punch list.
"It's gratifying (to see the field at the point it's ready to be
used)," Donovan said. "We had a very tight schedule starting in April
and then May and June, with the rain, killed us."
Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. said he'll be at the field for Friday's
opening.
"It's a beautiful, beautiful facility," Clancy said. "When it's
complete it will be an awesome, multi-purpose facility for the people
of the city."
Although he would have been OK with waiting to open the field next
year, Clancy said he's thrilled that teams will get to start using it
this fall.
"Dealing with Manning Bowl has been a very emotional, sometimes
controversial matter," Clancy said, adding that the Manning Field
Commission did yeomen's work getting the project to this point.
The Classical and English High football teams, both on the road
this week, and St. Mary's, which has the weekend off, will have to wait
to test out the new turf. West Lynn Pop Warner will play on the field
Sunday and high school soccer will start using the new field on
Tuesday.
Visitors to the new field will still have to park on-street
because the lot, which will have a gravel surface until the final
paving and landscaping are done in Phase II, won't be usable for
another few weeks, Donovan said.
"We had the choice to wait (until the parking was available), but
the old Manning Bowl had no parking for 60-odd years," Donovan said,
adding he couldn't see having a usable field sit dormant for another
two or three weeks.
John Kasian works in the Community Development office where, among
other things, he serves as a liaison of sorts with City Hall and the
groups that will use the facility, including the schools.
"We were committed to not having the schools play on the road for
two years," Kasian said.
Deputy Police Chief Kevin Coppinger, who is also chairman of the
Manning Field Commission, also thought it was important to let the high
school players start using the field now rather than waiting for
everything to be completed.
"I think it looks great. The field is ready for the kids,"
Coppinger said, adding he's very happy with the way it turned out and
the fact there weren't many unexpected issues other than the heavy rain
last spring and the decision to go with a higher quality turf than was
originally planned.
"I think people will be very impressed, I really do" he said.
Phase I included construction of the field and track, lighting,
fencing and surrounding sidewalks and walkways. Phase II, which Donovan
said will go out to bid in January, will include construction of a
multi-use, three-story building to house team rooms, bathrooms, a
concession stand, ticket booth, referees' rooms, an elevator, an office
and a press box.The second phase will also involve the installation of
permanent bleachers (seating for 4,000) and parking lot paving. There
will be bleachers on both the Locust Street side of the field and the
Maple Street side.
Construction workers spent the last few days trying to finish
things up. Workers were scheduled to begin striping the track Wednesday
(the job was expected to take a few days). They also worked on the
black, four-foot high chain link fence that runs around the perimeter
of the track. Eventually, the track will be open to the public for
running, jogging and walking.
According to Donovan and Kasian, there were some areas of sidewalk
that still needed to be finished and the electrical hookups also had to
be tested and a meter installed. Although Friday's game starts early
enough that the lights won't be needed, the electrical system has to be
up and running in order to use the new scoreboard.
Contractors were also scheduled to install temporary bleachers
with seating for 750 prior to Friday, along with portable bathrooms. A
makeshift concession stand will also be available this fall.
One of the things that must be done before the field is ready for
night games is a light burn, which entails running the lights for 100
hours to make sure everything is working properly. Donovan said that
might be done over the weekend.