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Henry County awards $15,000 to Nightstown Youth Sports to replace failing ballpark lights
Summary
After a presentation by Nightstown Youth Sports president Guy LZ describing safety risks and a $29,900 estimate for LED field lights, the council approved a one-time $15,000 food-and-beverage allocation; the motion passed 6–1 amid discussion about long-term fund policy.
Nightstown Youth Sports board president Guy LZ told the Henry County Council that the league’s three-field ballpark serves 491 children and about 396 families and that failing stadium lights on the softball diamond had become a safety hazard.
“Our lights have been the same since about 1989,” Guy said, describing repeated temporary repairs and an estimate from Carpenter Electric for $29,900 to supply and install LED fixtures. He said he had already paid a $15,000 deposit so the contractor could buy the lights and requested county help for the remaining cost as a one-time capital improvement.
Council members asked technical and fiscal questions. The group confirmed the power provider is IMPA via Nightstown Utilities and that IMPA had no direct assistance program for the upgrade. Officials reviewed the league’s finances: the organization receives a $5,000 annual contribution from Wayne Township Trustees, registration fees, and runs one fundraiser; it normally carries roughly $9,000–$10,000 into a new season but had been saving toward the lights and had about $15,000 on hand.
Councilmember Bobby moved to allocate $15,000 from the food-and-beverage account to Nightstown Youth Sports. The motion was seconded and carried 6–1; one council member opposed, saying frequent one-off grants risk depleting the fund and recommended building a policy for such requests.
The council allowed the youth league to display a thank-you banner but noted the donation was not given with expectation of public recognition. The league expects installation to be completed before the season opener the following weekend.
The council’s action was limited to the one-time allocation; no further recurring commitment or structural policy was adopted at the meeting.
