Brighter, energy-efficient lights under consideration for sports fields

The Park Board is interested in upgrading sports field lighting with Musco brand lights that are brighter and would save energy and thus reduce electric bill charges. Parks and Recreation Director Shanda Williams presented the light proposal and recommended that Gunn & Associates complete the electrical engineering work at the city council meeting on July 13.

Williams said Brian Vinson from Trussville told her that he really loved their new Musco lights and that they have made a great difference on their fields. The lights would bring the lights up to national standard and are favored by the Park Board, Williams said.

City Manager Sam Gaston said the city had budgeted for this project this year, but City Council Member Billy Pritchard said he did not want to move forward with the project unless the Board of Education is on board and that the board does not currently have the funds to pay their share.

The council decided to table the project until they can get a more firm answer from the groups it would affect.

Lights at Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook Elementary and Brookwood Forest Elementary would be replace first since their fields are used the most. Light changes at these schools would cost less than $49,440 in engineering fees and $890,000 in other costs. At Mountain Brook Elementary, it could cost less if the tennis courts, which are the Board of Education's responsibility, are not included.

After these three locations the lights could be added at Crestline Elementary, Cherokee Bend Elementary, Mountain Brook Junior High and possibly Overton Park tennis courts for an engineering fee of $37,295.