Boxing Event Planned to Benefit Manchester Field

The Winchester Field Development Council is planning to hold a night of boxing matches on Saturday, Nov. 19, at to help raise money for Phase 2 of the renovation project, according to Athletic Director Brian Carroll.

He told the School Committee Tuesday that the event, which will pit eight pugilists from New England against those from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., is expected to bring in $40,000 to $50,000. He said former World Boxing Union (WBU) champion, Lowell’s own Micky Ward, who was the subject of the 2010 film, “The Fighter,” will be in attendance and the night will begin with a dinner at .

“It’s important to know that [the council] is doing everything it can to raise money for the project on its own,” Carroll said.

The news came on the heels of the council and the Field Management Committee, namely Winchester Recreation Department Director Chris Nelson, .

The town put about $1 million toward Phase 1, which was completed in November 2009. The council had planned on completing Phase 2, which includes the construction of a state-of-the-art track and turf field, solely with private funds. However, it now believes it needs $200,000 from the town to help finish out its fundraising efforts.

“At this point, we could really use a push, could really use some help here,” Carroll said.

Even with the requested town funds, the council would still need an additional $400,000 to complete Phase 2, about the same amount of money it has already raised for the phase.

The request to the town will go to the Capital Planning Committee, which ranks all of its requests before they’re deciding on at Town Meeting.

School Committee member Christopher Linskey said all funding proposals sound great and worthwhile individually, but it’s important to remember that there is a finite amount of money available.

Carroll said certain features, like some sodding, fencing and a scoreboard, have been taken out of Phase 2 to lower its cost. He said the hope is that individual investors will sponsor those elements of the project.

He also said “Sachem Crunch Cereal” will be sold this fall to benefit the project, as the council is doing everything it can think of to raise more money.

“We’re thinking of ending the night with a celebrity boxing match featuring Paul Manganaro (the council’s president),” Carroll joked.