As you may have already heard, construction to build a new press box for the Walpole high school athletics at Turco Field is being held. A group of former players, the WHS Gridiron Boosters, FWCAC, family and friends and the football alumni have launched a fundraising drive to construct and build a sculpture in Coach John Lee’s name at Turco Field.  Not until just recently have they reached their goal of about $19,000.00 dollars to build the structure. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow, June 18th at Turco Field from 6 to 7 P.M. The Board of Selectmen, along with Coach Lee, will be attending the ceremony and will be going to Blackburn Hall following the ceremony for wine and cheese from 7 to 9 P.M.

The press box is dedicated to Coach Lee, who taught and coached at Walpole High School for 25 years and achieved an amazing record of 212-33-7, giving him his legendary status in Massachusetts.  The idea to dedicate the press box to Coach Lee was brought up by a former football player whom Coach Lee had coached, Dale Olmsted, who is now the football coach at Millis High School.  Construction to build his new press box will begin immediately after graduation on June 15th and will be open for use by the following football season in the fall.  Along with the press box, more stands and a driveway allowing for easy access to the press box will be added on the opposite side of the field.

All of the money raised was raised privately and did not cost the town of Walpole any money. Building a press box for Walpole sports is a great way to recognize the amazing achievements and accomplishments of Coach Lee.  Construction will be completed in the middle of September and will be presented to the public at the Walpole-Norwood football game on October 18.