LEWISTON — The Lewiston High School football team will square off against the Bangor Rams on Friday, but the real excitement might come before the game and at halftime.

The Franklin Pasture Fundraising Committee is expected to announce “huge” monetary sponsorships for a sports complex next to Lewiston High School at 156 East Ave.

Announcements are expected to be made first at a pre-game tailgate gathering at Friday’s homecoming football game.

The Franklin Pasture Sports Complex Fundraising Campaign, with a goal of $5 million, is a project organizers say will put Lewiston “on the map.” The complex is touted as an investment with far-reaching impact on school and recreation activities, and to the city as a whole.

“I am pleased with the progress made to date,” said Heather Hunter, a member of the campaign, “and it’s going to be an exciting homecoming event with memorable steps forward toward bringing this project to fruition.”

Among the highlights of the pre-game event will be the announcement of a $25,000 “Announcer Level” sponsorship by the Timothy J. Mynahan Foundation, with naming rights of the main complex scoreboard in honor of 1988 LHS graduate Timothy J. Mynahan, who died in a car wreck in 1991. 

At halftime, organizers will announce a $200,000 Emerald Level sponsorship by Lewiston High School graduate Dave Roux, nephew of former Lewiston School Superintendent Joseph Deschenes and his wife, Barbara.

The announcement and dedication of naming rights to the baseball field and press box, in honor of Deschenes, will be followed by a brief fireworks celebration.

In addition, a sponsorship of $30,000 for main complex improvements, is credited to the Cronins, a local family.

“How far we’ve come on this project is a huge step for this community, a real landmark,” said Jason Fuller, Lewiston High School’s athletic director. “The city, school and community commitment to this project continues to run strong, and Friday night will be a wonderful celebration of partnerships in action.”

The pre-game tailgate gathering, sponsored by the Maine Army National Guard, will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Radio stations Q97.9 and WCYY are expected to broadcast live.

The game starts at 7 p.m. at Franklin Pasture Complex-Don Roux Football Field, on the site fundraisers expect to be one of the finest in the state.

“The upgrade of the Franklin Pasture Athletic Complex will certainly enhance the recreation and athletic experiences for the community at large,” said Maggie Chisholm, Lewiston’s director of recreation. “It will provide optimum recreation and athletic quality and quantity use for the participants, spectators and visitors.”

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