Manning project near finish line

LYNN – The long awaited completion of Manning Field, the successor to Manning Bowl, which was demolished in 2005, is reportedly right around the corner.Although it was originally slated to be finished in May, Inspectional Services Director Michael Donovan said the completion date is now set for July 1.”It’s really coming along, and we’re pretty much all done,” he said. “We just have to install the aluminum windows and do the final painting on the press box.”Donovan said minor theft of the bleachers occurred and the city had to purchase more materials to complete the seats.”Some of the aluminum and galvanized steel went missing, and it wasn’t enough to even report to the police,” he said. “We also had some missing from the factory.”In regards to spending, Donovan said it was a struggle, but the city remained on track.Funding for the project included $4.18 million in bonds from the city; a state grant of $5 million; a Brownfields grant of $70,000; a state Brownfields earmark of $200,000; a self-help grant from the state for $500,000; $680,000 from the sale of the Joseph Devlin Nursing Home and other small amounts totaling $250,000, according to Donovan.Quirk Construction of Georgetown installed lighting and laid down the track and field at a cost of $3.2 million for the first phase of the project.J & J Contractors handled the second phase of the project, which included the installation of over 4,000 bleacher seats, a field house, locker room, concession stand, restrooms, office space and a press box.Donovan said the city is handling the third phase of the project, which includes a multitude of minor tasks such as wiring for telephones, and installing the public announcement system.”There is a track meet scheduled at the field in the next couple of weeks and everything will officially be open for the football season in the fall,” he said. “All the big stuff is done, and we’re ready to push the ball over the goal line.”The field is located behind Fraser Field and borders Western Avenue, Locust and Ford streets.