A two-year renovation project for Doyle Field in Brewer entered its final phases Friday as those most responsible for the project’s success were honored.

The highlight of the evening came during during halftime of Brewer’s game vs. Lawrence of Fairfield, as the people of Brewer officially said “Thank you” to a man whose contributions to the project could not be overstated, according to project organizers.

Eddie Campbell of Brewer, head of Campbell Construction, was presented with a plaque as the field’s new press box was dedicated to him for his efforts in making the refurbishing of Doyle Field a huge success.

“We probably could have had most of it done by now without Eddie’s help, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as nice a job,” said David Hart, former chairman of the Brewer Recreation and Parks Department’s Advisory Commission. “And it wouldn’t have gone as quickly or smoothly as it did.”

Campbell donated time, manpower, materials, equipment, and whatever else was needed to get the job done.

Not only did he get the required work done, but he went a step farther and performed extra tasks such as constructing an expanded, gravel parking area on Wilson Stree – free of charge.

“We can’t thank him enough,” said Ken Hanscom, director of the Brewer Recreation and Parks and Department. “We couldn’t have done it without his help. It was obvious we had to do something for him.”

To Hanscom, Hart and other Brewer citizens, a simple “Thank you” seemed totally inadequate for all the work Campbell did. That’s when the Advisory Commission seized upon the idea of dedicating the press box to Campbell.

“We all thought it was a great idea,” said Hart. “It (the press box) was the most complex part of the project, and the last thing we got done. It seemed appropriate to dedicate it in his name.”

The proposal won total support from the seven-member commission, and was unanimously approved along with a stone monument inscribed with the names of each person contributing to the $200,000 Doyle Field restoration project.

Raising money for the project, although difficult at first, became a little easier as the project started rolling along. In fact, people who wanted to donate money to get their names on light poles almost had to be turned away.

Organizers offered area businesses the chance to donate $6,000 a pole to finance the construction of nine light poles, thereby getting their names on plaques placed on the poles at their dedication.

The cost of all nine poles was quickly paid for through that measure by various businesses and citizens, leaving one Brewer resident out of luck as he also wished to get his name on a pole.

But he was offered a chance to finance the construction of the field’s flagpole instead, and gladly took it.

“It was really a tremendous effort by community businesses,” said Hart. “It was great to see so much support from so many local businesses and individual citizens.”

Not only did the project draw lots of local support, but businesses from as far away as Hampden and even Calais offered their services.

“This was a total, communitywide effort,” said Hart. “It’s something we can all be proud of.”