In less than a year, the Fund the Field campaign raised more than $800,000, and organizers are set to sign a contract this week to replace the aging turf field at Marblehead High School.
“In a time of so much angst and so many asks, it feels good to be part of something as straightforward, uplifting and useful as this project,” said Fund the Field co-chair Victoria Dosch. “Piper Field is a space that serves our entire community, young and old, and revitalizing it means so much to so many.”
More than 975 families and organizations have supported the fundraiser.
“I know our budget constraints within the town are tight, and I love the way the community always steps up. I think it’s great,” said Muffy Paquette, Dosch’s co-chair.
The current turf field at MHS is 11 years old and no longer safe for sports, according to the Marblehead All-Sports Boosters, a nonprofit that supports student-athletes in town. The Boosters launched the Fund the Field drive last August. A $150,000 check from National Grand Bank on April 16 pushed the Boosters over their goal for the turf. They are still fundraising for new lighting.
Marblehead Pickleball is hosting a two-day tournament, April 27-28, at the Veterans School courts to raise money for the project. For more information and to register, visit https://loom.ly/B7sOxmM.
Fund the Field has drawn support from a wide array of people in town.
“The field is used by so many different age ranges — from flag football 5-year-olds up to my husband who plays adult soccer,” Paquette said. “Youth lacrosse, youth soccer play there, in addition to high school sports. Graduation is on that field. There are other social events. The gym classes use it. The cross section of people who use it is huge. That helped us. It’s not just a football field.”
The replacement will likely begin once school ends in June.
“We’re talking about doing something just before, a farewell party,” Paquette said.
Over the summer, captains’ practices can be held on grass fields behind the high school.
If all goes as planned, the new field should be in place by late August or early September, in time for fall soccer and football.
There will be a special event to open and dedicate the field. Paquette said the area will be an impressive sight.
“We will have ‘Marblehead’ written in the end zones. It’s going to look amazing, with the new turf, stand-alone snack shed, murals and the new Forever Fan Zone,” she said.
Dosch added, “We are very lucky to live somewhere where so many people consistently roll up their sleeves to get things done.”
For more information about Fund the Field, visit marbleheadboosters.org/fund-the-field.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
