Board approves $368,107 for Kiwanis Park court lighting; county accepts $18,000 state youth-sports grant for batting-cage lights

The Pender County Board of Commissioners voted on Jan. 21 to fund sports-court lighting at Kiwanis Park and to accept a related grant for batting-cage lighting. Dory Ramirez, project manager in the County Manager's Office, told the board the project bid came in below estimates and recommended using a cooperative purchasing contract with Musco Sports Lighting for a purchase order of $368,107.

Ramirez described the package as covering two full-size basketball courts, four pickleball courts, six tennis courts, 12 galvanized steel poles with precast concrete bases, 38 illumination fixtures and a 25-year maintenance and warranty through the Musco contract. "Moving forward, in order to provide the citizens with a safe and suitable [facility] during low light and nighttime periods, we do request... the approval of this budget ordinance amendment and the purchase order with Musco Sports Lighting in the amount of $368,107," Ramirez said.

The board approved the purchase order and budget amendment by voice vote. Commissioners and staff said multiple citizens had contacted them in support; several residents who signed up during the public-comment portion urged lighting so courts and cages are usable in winter evenings.

Grant acceptance for batting-cage lighting Commissioners also voted to accept a $18,000 grant from the North Carolina Youth Sports Fund to pay for the batting-cage lighting at Hampstead Kiwanis Park. County staff identified the funding source to the board during the presentation; Commissioner White asked whether the grant was part of the state gambling-derived package and staff confirmed it was.

Public comment and staff response Several speakers during public comment asked the board to prioritize lighting and field maintenance at Kiwanis Park. Susan Lemons said the courts are underused in winter evenings and asked the board to approve lighting; Topsail Girls Softball president Rob Giddeland and other park users said lights would increase evening use and help youth programs. Ramirez told the board the lighting had been omitted from the original phase budget as an alternate during bidding and arrived under budget when bidders returned numbers.

Project funding and next steps Ramirez said the item was not previously budgeted and requested the additional appropriation to fully fund the award. The procurement will proceed through the cooperative contract; the Musco contract includes a long-term maintenance/warranty component. The board approved the purchase order and grant acceptance in separate voice votes.

Ending Commissioners directed staff to proceed with contracting and to include the Musco maintenance provisions; staff said the award will be documented and the project managed through the County Manager's Office.