Officials approve Musco Sports Lighting contract to retrofit lights at Blanchard Woods Park

Officials approved an independent contractor agreement with Musco Sports Lighting to retrofit sports-field light fixtures at Blanchard Woods Park to LED units, a staff member told the meeting. Staff recommended approval and the item was adopted on the consent docket.

The decision follows a lighting test at Blanchard Woods Park that showed levels “severely under recommended levels,” the staff member said, noting that the recommended level for a recreational field is about 30 foot-candles and that “we have spots out there that are 5.” The staff member said the stadium lights will be upgraded as well; stadium lighting target levels were described as nearer 50 foot-candles for upcoming national championships the venue will host.

The staff member said the retrofit is funded through the '23–'28 SPLOST allocation and that work could begin after the fall season, with installations starting in November. A meeting participant asked whether the project would replace poles or only fixtures; the staff member said the project would replace fixtures, converting existing fixtures to LED.

A member moved the item to the consent docket; another member seconded the motion, and the presiding officer recorded the item as approved on consent. The transcript records the motion to consent and the second but does not include a roll-call vote.

Background: officials said several parks have lighting upgrade money in the '23–'28 SPLOST plan but that Blanchard Woods was the highest priority because its lighting measurements were the worst. The staff member characterized the existing fixtures as dimmed and color-shifted, describing them as “a dull orange y color.”

No legal matters were raised during the meeting, and staff reports followed with budget and response summaries for members’ information.