Work continues at the Veterans Field sports complex to install LED arrays high above the baseball diamond and soccer pitch.
When the 2021 seasons open, the playing surfaces, located east of the Lakeshore overpass, will feature a new LED lighting system with wireless control, allowing for the system to be monitored remotely. The nearly $850,000 lighting portion of the project has been contracted to Bernard Rochefort Limited and will wrap up a major reconstruction project dating to 2018 and totalling nearly $1.5 million.
See related story: Council flips switch on $850K in sports field lighting
The original plan called for a $500,000 reconstruction focusing on the baseball side of the complex. In late spring, Coun. Johanne Brousseau, the Chair of the Community Services Committee updated the project cost at $700,000 — before the lighting contract had been awarded.
Coun. Chris Mayne, who chairs the Infrastructure and Operations Committee said in June, "This is considered a prudent use of City funds and the work is certainly needed."
Officials say besides the benefits to local sports leagues, the upgrades give sports tourism hosts flexibility when it comes to fields and amenities available for a wider range of tournaments. The synthetic turf on the baseball diamond can also help extend seasons deeper into the fall.
Safety concerns about the integrity of the light poles factored into the decision. Mayne confirmed then the "report from staff shows existing lighting has reached end of life...The concrete poles are tilting and damage from salt penetration has been noted along the bases of a number of the existing poles."
Over the course of the project, the ball field's outfield, pitcher's mound, home plate, fencing, and warning track have all been rehabilitated or replaced. Synthetic turf has been installed in the infield and the benches and bleachers have been replaced. The irrigation and drainage system has also been upgraded.
