BOE Lights Up RHS Stadium, Stevens Field

Night games at RHS Stadium and Stevens Fields are soon to become the norm.

Accepting more $100,000 in upfront costs from 14 different local sports groups, the Ridgewood Board of Education approved plans to install permanent lights at the two high school fields—though two members raised serious concerns about finance and public input last night.

"This is one way of paying back all the parents and supporters over the years by saying thank you," High School Director of Wellness Garland Allen said. "In the New York Metro area, we're one of the few preeminent communities that doesn't have these kinds of lights."

Speaking of contractor Musco Lighting, board member Laurie Goodman said the permanent structures are a significant improvement over "the stinky and loud" generator-powered, temporary lighting the schools employ for nighttime activities.

"These new lights are energy efficient, web-based, silent, high-tech, and as soon as you step off the field it'll be dark—no glow," she said, adding it would not be a nuisance for nearby neighbors.

However, the school board approved the measure with a certain degree of hesitation. Passed initially through a bond referendum approved by voters in December, the field updates includes installing synthetic turf—a measure some residents disagreed with. Initially, the district expressed its desire to include lighting, but couldn't afford the addition.

As the construction project got underway, residents approached the district's field committee and were told now was the optimum time to install lights. Spearheaded by residents Jack Carroll, Ed Seavers and others, residents pledged to donate $106,000 within two weeks to entirely pay for the first year of the lights.

Over the course of a five-year lease, the district will share costs with resident sports groups. With year one entirely paid for, the district will be responsible for 60 percent of years two through five—about $65,000 annually—with the groups paying the remaining 40 percent. 

Board President Michele Lenhard and Vice President Robert Hutton each held concerns.

Lenhard chiefly worried about the money. After experiencing significant budget cuts, Lenhard was wary of blindly committing money to the project. The lease would be in the district's name, meaning the school board would be entirely responsible if the sports groups couldn't pay. Allen and Carroll ensured the groups' commitment—using the speedy fundraising effort as an example.

Carroll said he couldn't guarantee continued financial support if the board delayed. "A lot of the commitment comes from parents wanting to see their kids on there this year. I'm not saying they won't honor their pledge, but it would be harder," he said.

Additionally, Carroll said selling naming rights could save more money. Assistant Superintendent for Business Angelo DeSimone also said the interest accrued on the bond referendum could be applied to the projects in years four and five—essentially making the district responsible for two years of payment.

Although Hutton himself approved the project, he said, "Not everyone is in favor of lights... If we act tonight, we're going to have a lineup coming in here telling us we did this in the summer when no one was around [to oppose it]."

Hutton suggested a meeting with a single-item agenda allowing residents to express concerns, but ultimately the board decided against it.

Allen described the challenges of scheduling and field overuse brought on by a lack of permanent lighting. Additionally, the lighting allows female athletes to use the "premiere" high school venue, a Title IX distinction the athletes were previously prohibited from as the football team primarily uses the field. 

Five youth sports groups, seven high school booster organizations, the Field Committee Funds and the Vandevander Fund raised the $106,000. The groups plan to award the money to the Board of Education by August 1.