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East Providence council approves $340,035 for Pierce softball field upgrades after public support
Summary
After a packed public hearing featuring Little League leaders and coaches, the East Providence City Council approved a $340,035 appropriation to upgrade Pierce softball field — including lighting, parking and walkways — and authorized the mayor to contract for installation work.
The East Providence City Council voted to approve a $340,035 appropriation for improvements at Pierce Softball Field, moving forward with lighting, a paved parking area, pedestrian walkways and other site work intended to enhance safety and usability.
Dozens of players, parents and volunteer leaders packed the council chamber to urge approval. “For the past 5 years ... our league serves 200 to 250 players and provides financial aid to approximately 20 to 30 families,” Richard Hogan, president of East Providence Central Little League, told the council in support of lighting at Amarillo/Emerald Field. He said lighting would allow older girls to finish weekday games and keep the program growing.
“Without lights, we must start games earlier, and with the increasing risk of weather-related cancellations, it cuts our season short year after year,” Hogan added. Christina O’Reilly, a Rumford resident and head coach of the junior-senior softball team, described scheduling limits that force doubleheaders on Saturdays and urged the council to provide equity with baseball fields that already have lights.
Council President Rodricks described the work as more than a few light poles: the project also includes pavement, guardrail, improved visibility and pedestrian access. After public comment, Councilwoman Souza moved to approve the ordinance and the council voted in favor; the council then approved a companion resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into contracts for lighting and other vendors to complete the project. “It’s now a done deal,” Rodricks said after the votes.
The resolution authorizes the mayor to execute contracts (the council referenced Musco Lighting by name in the resolution reading) and staff said the work will move through the city’s procurement and construction process once contracts are in place. Council members emphasized that the funding comes from unallocated capital funds and that the appropriation is not expected to increase the city’s tax rate.
Next steps identified by council staff included finalizing vendor contracts and coordinating with DPW on scheduling and site work; council members asked that the administration keep the public informed about timelines and installation milestones.
