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Northwest Little League asks Pingree Grove for help funding field lighting at Cambridge Lakes
Summary
Northwest Little League told the village it needs field lighting at Cambridge Lakes to extend play hours and support tournaments, citing a vendor estimate near $748,000–$784,000 for initial fields; league leaders asked the village to pursue grants and a partnership because the league does not own the land and cannot apply for some grants on its own.
Leaders of Northwest Little League asked the Pingree Grove Village Board for a partnership to install field lights at the Cambridge Lakes ball complex, saying lights would extend playable hours, increase program capacity and support tournaments that could bring economic activity to the village.
Krista Clayton, treasurer of Northwest Little League, described seven total fields that serve Little League and affiliated travel teams and said the league is responsible for field maintenance and scheduling. “We can't schedule practices or games past dusk because we don't have lighting,” she said, describing how limited daylight hours constrain practices during spring and fall.
The presenters provided a vendor estimate that they discussed in the meeting as roughly in the $748,000–$784,000 range for the primary Cambridge Lakes fields; they also cited a per-field calculator that showed about $289,000 per field before multi-field discounts. The league said it may phase the work (initially focusing on Cambridge Lakes fields 3–5, with Parkside fields later), pursue sponsorships and explore cooperative multi-year payment agreements to spread the cost.
Board members raised practical questions about parking for tournaments, warranties from vendors, and whether the village’s grant coordinator could review funding programs. The presenters said they cannot apply for some grants directly because they do not own the land and requested village assistance to pursue applicable grants and to partner on a funding plan.
Trustees thanked the presenters and asked staff to follow up. The league said it would share grant information and vendor quotes with village staff so the village can evaluate options and potential partnership structures.
