Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation Lighting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves $368,107 sports-court lighting at Kiwanis Park; $18,000 state grant accepted for batting-cage lights
Summary
After public comments from local sports organizers, the board approved Musco Sports Lighting purchase and a related $18,000 grant to add lights to basketball, tennis, pickleball courts and batting cages at Kiwanis Park.
The Board of Commissioners approved a purchase order and budget amendment totaling $368,107 to install sports-court lighting at Kiwanis Park and associated facilities, project manager Dory Ramirez told the board Wednesday.
The approved cooperative-purchase contract with Musco Sports Lighting (via the cooperating vendor/contract referenced in the meeting) covers two full-size basketball courts, six tennis courts and four pickleball courts with 12 galvanized poles, precast concrete bases and 38 fixtures. The contract includes a 25-year maintenance/warranty package. Ramirez said the lighting scope was omitted from the initial phase budgets and was later solicited as an alternate; bids came in below estimates.
Public commenters urged prompt installation. Susan Lemons, a resident, and representatives of local youth sports groups including Topsail Girls Softball described after-work and winter-hour access limitations without lights and urged the board to approve the work so citizens can use courts and batting cages in low light.
The board approved the sports-court lighting purchase order by motion and vote at the meeting. Commissioners also accepted an $18,000 grant from the North Carolina Youth Sports Fund to help fund the batting-cage lighting and moved to accept that grant; meeting records show the grant is from gambling-related distribution funds allocated for youth sports.
Project manager Ramirez said the lighting will improve nighttime usability and help address safety and security concerns by increasing visibility at the facilities. Staff said the project was not previously budgeted and the board approved a budget ordinance amendment to fund the purchase order.
