Several Ellington Athletic Surfaces Now Have Lights For Nighttime Play

ELLINGTON, CT — For the first time, hundreds of young athletes will have a chance to compete in Ellington after dark, as a town-wide sports field lighting project is officially dedicated Friday.

Approved by town voters at a 2022 referendum, the nearly $3 million project involves lighting playing surfaces at the high school, Tedford Park and the Pinney Street Fields. The new illumination allows for baseball, softball, basketball, tennis, pickleball, football and other activities to take place into the nighttime hours at Ellington's parks.

The vendor selected to install the lights was Ellington-based Earthlight Solar and Energy Solutions. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at the high school football field.

"Our goal is to expand the opportunity for residents to use our local parks and fields safely into the evening hours," First Selectman Lori Spielman said. "I am so proud of our parks and want our community to be proud, too."

A committee comprised of town officials and community members met throughout 2023 and 2024, establishing priorities for installation, establishing lighting schedules for each park and working with the vendor in resolving installation challenges.