Stadium Lights Project
Bringing Westonites Together Weston Stadium Lights Project October 15, 2013
1
Agenda • • • •
Benefits The Lights Financial Next Steps
2
Stadium Lights Committee Broad Town Representation Name
Relevant Experience
Eric Albert
Chairman Parks & Recreation Commission
Mark Berkowitz
Weston HS Athletic Director
Woody Bliss
Former Selectman, 2013 Weston Citizen of the Year
Kurt Brower
President Gridiron Club
Carl Bernstein
Weston P&R Commissioner
Marc Butlein
Led turf and track project, Weston Sportsperson of the Year, P&R
Michael Carter
President Weston Sports Commission, Board of Finance
Terri Clevenger
President Weston Boosters
Dawn Egan
Former Boosters President, Weston Citizen of the Year
Peter Figliola
Bleacher/Booster Board project, Weston Lacrosse Board
Ken Freidrichsen
Weston Lacrosse Board
John Holmes
Weston Lacrosse Board
Fred Lawrence
Weston Lacrosse and Football Boards
Chris Myers
President Weston Soccer
Doug Narins
President Girls Softball
Steve Santa-Maria
President Weston Youth Football
Paul Scheufle
Founder Weston Lacrosse, Weston Sportsperson of the Year
Robb Thomson
Led Fundraising for Soccer/Lacrosse field lights, 2005
3
Beneficiaries
4
Beneficiaries High School Teams
Football / Lacrosse / Soccer / Track & Field/ Field Hockey
Youth Leagues
Football / Lacrosse/ Soccer
Walkers & Runners
Extended walking and running time
Sports Fans
Those presently attending + New fans who would attend a “Friday Lights Game”
Weston Boosters
More revenue at Booster Barn - supports all sports
Empty Nesters
Who want to remain engaged with the community
Weston Residents
A healthy community social gathering place 5
Benefits Night Games
• Town spirit • Bring new and existing fans together
Connect School Parents
• Parents of athletes • Parents of recent Weston High School graduates • Parents of young children
Increase Track Usage
• Attract more runners and walkers
6
Benefits Increase in Booster Barn Revenues
• Night games • Playoff games
Better Scheduling
• Football games are problematic in October / November – Longer ACT/SAT exams delay games.
Host Multi School Meets
• Increase in attendance • Dinner time events
• State and Conference meets (SWC and CIAC state semifinals and championships) • Opportunity to host revenue-generating college games • Unique opportunity to showcase Weston
7
Benefits Reduce Impact of Sound
• Reduce sound as speakers will be moved from facing neighbors to facing school.
Increase Available Practice Times
• Baseball and softball could use for practice if wet conditions at other fields • Extended turf field hours allows for more practice time and fewer weather cancellations
Enhance Community Events
• Relay for Life • Special Olympics
8
The Lights
9
The Lights Minimal Spill & Glare – Visor Design
10
The Lights Minimal Spill & Glare Taller poles ensure proper aiming angles, decrease glare for players, and decrease off-site spill light
11
12
13
14
Comparable Towns With one exception all other DRG-A & SWC public schools have stadium lights
15
Extending our Present Light Zone
Weston High School
16
Extending our Present Light Zone
17
Restrictions • Lights off by 10pm (current practice) • Speakers only for games • Follow rules on lower field
18
Financial
Budget Financing
19
Budget • Capital Budget (funded privately) – Equipment & Project – Recognition Plaque/Bricks – Contingency Total
$290,000 5,000 30,000 $325,000
• Operating Costs (funded by Gate Receipts) – Electric • Stadium lights = $16 /hour of operation • Walking lights = $3/hour of operation
– Security • Additional police at big events
20
100% Privately Funded • Town of Weston - Field Lighting Fund – Donations tax deductible (501-C3) – Monies segregated • LAX Fund committed $80,000 • Fundraising strategy developed by Committee members with prior experience leading turf, track and lower field lights projects • Recognition for donors
21
Next Steps
Approval Process Timeline
22
Approval Process • Presented to: First Selectman, Board of Education, Weston Sports Commission, Parks & Recreation, Football, Lacrosse and Soccer Boards • Approvals Necessary – Board of Education – Board of Selectmen – Conservation Commission – Planning & Zoning – Board of Finance 23
Timeline • • • • • •
Q3/2013 Q4/2013 Q4/2013 - Q2/2014 June 2014 Summer 2014 September 2014
Lights Committee Formed Begin Fundraising Obtain Town Approvals Award Contract Installation Opening Night Celebration
24
Bringing Westonites Together • Win/Win – Help our athletes – Provide a needed community gathering place – Create a town asset
• No cost to taxpayers
25
Q&A
26
1
Agenda • • • •
Benefits The Lights Financial Next Steps
2
Stadium Lights Committee Broad Town Representation Name
Relevant Experience
Eric Albert
Chairman Parks & Recreation Commission
Mark Berkowitz
Weston HS Athletic Director
Woody Bliss
Former Selectman, 2013 Weston Citizen of the Year
Kurt Brower
President Gridiron Club
Carl Bernstein
Weston P&R Commissioner
Marc Butlein
Led turf and track project, Weston Sportsperson of the Year, P&R
Michael Carter
President Weston Sports Commission, Board of Finance
Terri Clevenger
President Weston Boosters
Dawn Egan
Former Boosters President, Weston Citizen of the Year
Peter Figliola
Bleacher/Booster Board project, Weston Lacrosse Board
Ken Freidrichsen
Weston Lacrosse Board
John Holmes
Weston Lacrosse Board
Fred Lawrence
Weston Lacrosse and Football Boards
Chris Myers
President Weston Soccer
Doug Narins
President Girls Softball
Steve Santa-Maria
President Weston Youth Football
Paul Scheufle
Founder Weston Lacrosse, Weston Sportsperson of the Year
Robb Thomson
Led Fundraising for Soccer/Lacrosse field lights, 2005
3
Beneficiaries
4
Beneficiaries High School Teams
Football / Lacrosse / Soccer / Track & Field/ Field Hockey
Youth Leagues
Football / Lacrosse/ Soccer
Walkers & Runners
Extended walking and running time
Sports Fans
Those presently attending + New fans who would attend a “Friday Lights Game”
Weston Boosters
More revenue at Booster Barn - supports all sports
Empty Nesters
Who want to remain engaged with the community
Weston Residents
A healthy community social gathering place 5
Benefits Night Games
• Town spirit • Bring new and existing fans together
Connect School Parents
• Parents of athletes • Parents of recent Weston High School graduates • Parents of young children
Increase Track Usage
• Attract more runners and walkers
6
Benefits Increase in Booster Barn Revenues
• Night games • Playoff games
Better Scheduling
• Football games are problematic in October / November – Longer ACT/SAT exams delay games.
Host Multi School Meets
• Increase in attendance • Dinner time events
• State and Conference meets (SWC and CIAC state semifinals and championships) • Opportunity to host revenue-generating college games • Unique opportunity to showcase Weston
7
Benefits Reduce Impact of Sound
• Reduce sound as speakers will be moved from facing neighbors to facing school.
Increase Available Practice Times
• Baseball and softball could use for practice if wet conditions at other fields • Extended turf field hours allows for more practice time and fewer weather cancellations
Enhance Community Events
• Relay for Life • Special Olympics
8
The Lights
9
The Lights Minimal Spill & Glare – Visor Design
10
The Lights Minimal Spill & Glare Taller poles ensure proper aiming angles, decrease glare for players, and decrease off-site spill light
11
12
13
14
Comparable Towns With one exception all other DRG-A & SWC public schools have stadium lights
15
Extending our Present Light Zone
Weston High School
16
Extending our Present Light Zone
17
Restrictions • Lights off by 10pm (current practice) • Speakers only for games • Follow rules on lower field
18
Financial
Budget Financing
19
Budget • Capital Budget (funded privately) – Equipment & Project – Recognition Plaque/Bricks – Contingency Total
$290,000 5,000 30,000 $325,000
• Operating Costs (funded by Gate Receipts) – Electric • Stadium lights = $16 /hour of operation • Walking lights = $3/hour of operation
– Security • Additional police at big events
20
100% Privately Funded • Town of Weston - Field Lighting Fund – Donations tax deductible (501-C3) – Monies segregated • LAX Fund committed $80,000 • Fundraising strategy developed by Committee members with prior experience leading turf, track and lower field lights projects • Recognition for donors
21
Next Steps
Approval Process Timeline
22
Approval Process • Presented to: First Selectman, Board of Education, Weston Sports Commission, Parks & Recreation, Football, Lacrosse and Soccer Boards • Approvals Necessary – Board of Education – Board of Selectmen – Conservation Commission – Planning & Zoning – Board of Finance 23
Timeline • • • • • •
Q3/2013 Q4/2013 Q4/2013 - Q2/2014 June 2014 Summer 2014 September 2014
Lights Committee Formed Begin Fundraising Obtain Town Approvals Award Contract Installation Opening Night Celebration
24
Bringing Westonites Together • Win/Win – Help our athletes – Provide a needed community gathering place – Create a town asset
• No cost to taxpayers
25
Q&A
26
