Supervisors to decide whether to light athletic fields

It is now up to the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors to decide whether the public schools will get lights for night games at their athletic fields.

A proposal to install the lights at the three school athletic fields will be discussed at the July 7 supervisors' meeting.

The county School Board approved the proposal last Friday and recommended that the Board of Supervisors sign a contract guaranteeing $511,000 in payments over 10 years to cover the costs of the system.

The vote was 4-0, with one member–Jackson District’s Wes Mills–absent at the board meeting.

The athletic field lighting plan was put forward by the Rappahannock County School Sports Association, which says it plans to raise the funds needed to make annual payments of $51,132 over ten years. But these financing terms are available only if the county signs the lease-purchase contract, which means the county government would be obligated to make the annual payments or cover any shortfall if the association fails to raise the money privately.

"I think it is the best thing for the schools," said Piedmont District board member Aline Johnson, who made the motion to send the request to the Board of Supervisors with a favorable recommendation for approval. "I think we should send it to the Board of Supervisors. We can’t make their decision."

Johnson acknowledged that there was some degree of risk that RCSSA’s fund-raising efforts could fall short of making the annual payments. "The county may have to put up the money if it doesn’t come in" as donations, she said.

Before the vote, School Superintendent Robert Chappell told the board that "only the Board of Supervisors can determine if they should take the so-called gamble" that private fund-raising would generate enough money to make the payments. "We think that it is in the best interests of the (school) children," Chappell said.

The RCSSA plan contemplates contracting with Musco Lighting, an Iowa company, to install lights on Panther Stadium at the high school for night football and soccer games, and at baseball and softball fields behind the elementary school. The system would cost an estimated $395,000. Financing its installation over a 10-year period with interest would bring the estimated cost over $511,000.

Under the arrangement, the school board plans to absorb into its budget the additional costs of operating the lights. Chappell previously estimated that cost at $2,600 a year, based on using the lights for 27 football and soccer games plus 10 baseball and 10 softball games. Additional use–such as for playoff games, band activities or community events–would increase the electric usage.

Chappell reiterated his expectation that increased attendance at night sports events would increase ticket and concession revenue, which could help pay for the higher electricity bills. But he cautioned, "I don’t think that there is any proof that we will generate enough revenue….to pay the extra costs of electricity."

The superintendent also said he had discussed with the Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office the need to have paid law enforcement officers on hand at night games to provide security and crowd control. "We have a plan with the Sheriff’s department in place to monitor the night games," he said.

Chappell recommended that the athletic field lighting be used only for school events, though he said there may be occasional use for community events such as the annual Relay for Life. He’s recommending against allowing other groups–such as adult softball leagues or American Legion baseball teams–to use the lighted fields.

Board member Rosa Crocker said that if the Board of Supervisors agrees to sign the contract and guarantee payments, there is "some potential" for conflict over who manages the use of the lighted fields. "How could you be equitable regarding community use? Who decides what is an acceptable use?" she asked. Chappell responded: "The School Board would."