Manning Field job near end

LYNN – Manning Field, formerly the Manning Bowl, a mecca for high school sports in the city, is nearing the completion of its transformation into a gleaming new arena with a $10 million price tag.Demolished in 2005, the project was originally slated to be finished a few weeks ago, but Inspectional Services Director Michael Donovan said the completion date is now set for early May.”It’s moving along, but the project got delayed a little because it took longer than expected to get some of the materials, and the weather set us back about a week or so,” he said. “None of the sports will be impacted because of it.”Funding for the project includes $4.18 million in bonds from the city; a state grant of $5 million; a Brownfield’s grant of $70,000; a state Brownfield’s earmark of $200,000; a self help grant from the Commonwealth for $500,000; $680,000 from the sale of the Joseph Devlin Nursing Home and other small amounts totaling $250,000 according to Donovan.For the first phase of the project, Quirk Construction of Georgetown installed lighting and laid down the track and field at a cost of $3.2 million.J & J Contractors is handling the second phase of the project, which includes the installation of over 4,000 bleacher seats, a field house, locker room, concession stand, restrooms, office space and a press box.Donovan said roughly 2,000 of the bleacher seats have been installed so far, and by roughly May 1, the field house, bathroom and team rooms would be finished.A third phase of the project will be managed by the city and includes minor tasks such as wiring for telephones, and installing the public announcement system.Donovan said he anticipates the city will be able to work around the contractors in order to get the job done in a timely manner.”We’re on budget and I anticipate that everyone will enjoy playing at the first class facility when it’s finished,” he said. “J&J has done a good job so far.”The field borders Western Avenue, Locust Street and Ford Street and is located behind Fraser Field.