Brookville Soccer Association wins council approval to pursue lights for Field 2

The Brookville Soccer Association told the City Council it seeks permission to install four 30-foot stadium lights on Field 2 at the municipal soccer complex to extend practice and game times into the evening.

The request matters because association leaders said fall daylight constraints force earlier kickoffs and weekend congestion. ‘‘Field 2 is the one that, if you come in on Arlington Road, it’s the second field closer to the concession stand,’’ the presenter, Clement, told council. He described the project as primarily for practice and recreational play rather than higher-level competitive matches and said the proposed lighting layout would average about 33.68 foot-candles on the playing surface.

Clement provided a Chase Electric quote of about $60,000 to install four lights and described a savings of roughly $43,000 already raised by the association; the group plans to pursue grants and sponsorships to cover the balance. He said the design calls for mostly energy-efficient fixtures, two focused fixtures aimed at the goals to reduce glare, and a single main switch located near the concession stand; the association would add wiring provision for a future lightning detector and a potential permanent flagpole light.

A city staff member told council the parks board reviewed and recommended the project at a prior meeting and that staff would help identify and apply for grants to close the association’s funding gap. Neighbors who spoke at the meeting said they do not expect significant light spill or residential disturbance because the fixtures are downward-directed and the field is set back from nearby houses.

Council members asked about power metering, operation and maintenance, bulb replacement, warranty and control options such as separate switching. Clement said the site already has electricity serving the concession stand and that the quoted system includes underground power and a 10-year parts warranty; major repairs or replacement would require contractor service.

After discussion, council voted by voice to authorize the association to continue fundraising and to proceed toward final city approval, with the caveat that any material changes return to the council for review. A city staff member separately reiterated that the parks board had signed off and recommended council approval.

The association and staff plan to pursue grants and sponsors to cover the remaining estimated cost before returning with final construction documents and permitting details.