District 87 Officials Present the Benefits for Lights at Memorial Field

Officials from Glenbard High School District 87 spent three hours during Thursday's plan commission meeting correcting what they called "misinformation" about a proposed lighting system for an athletic field at .

The district wants to install lights at Memorial Field to allow for increased usage for athletes but first, the district needs approval from the village of Glen Ellyn. And after almost a year of debate, Thursday's plan commission meeting was the first step in the process for the approval of the lights, in addition to other field enhancements.

Crowds spilled out of the village board room as dozens turned out to express their support or opposition for the $300,000 lighting system at Memorial Field.

But only one side of the issue was presented due to a three-hour time limit set by the board. Representatives for District 87 were first given the opportunity to present their case to commissioners.

Utilizing all of the three hours provided by commissioners, District 87 representatives outlined the benefits of the proposed lighting system and other updates to the field, including new bleachers and fencing. Several District 87 school officials, lighting engineers, and real estate experts presented numerous reasons to erect lights. They also sought to dispel concerns raised by residents opposed to the plan, particularly those raised by the organization Our Field Our Town.

Chris McCLain, assistant superintendent for business services for District 87, asked the board to only consider the request for zoning variances concerning Memorial Field—not the funding of the project.

But the six proposed light poles, up to 70 feet tall, and the impact upon the school and neighboring residents were at the heart of Thursday’s board meeting.  

Glenbard West Principal Jane Thorsen said a lack of lights on the field has a negative impact on the school's sports teams, as it limits the amount of practice time. Thorsen added that Glenbard West plays in one of the toughest conferences in Illinois and those competing schools with stadium lights have an "unfair advantage because they have more opportunity to practice." 

Glenbard West uses off campus athletic fields and must run at least five extra buses per day to carry the teams to and from those fields. Installing lights at Memorial would cut back on the need to practice at other fields and the need for transportation. By cutting back on transportation, Glenbard West could shave off 180 bus routes each year, for a total savings of $29,000, according to Thorsen.

“This will provide a safety and cost savings enhancement to the school and will benefit the students,” Thorsen said.

Ryan Marsh, a lighting engineer with Musco Lighting, the firm tapped by the school district to erect the lights, emphasized that new technology now diminishes light pollution. He told the board the field will be well lit for night games and practices, but residents around the school would not be negatively impacted by any excess illumination.

“With the new lighting technology used by our company almost all the light will be directed toward the field and will dramatically decrease ‘sky glow’,” Marsh said.  

And for critics worried about usage of the lights, district officials said lights will be turned off by 9:30 p.m.

“The plan would be to program events at the field to end at 9 p.m., with a hard cut off at 9:30 p.m. in case a game goes long and for other safety reasons,” McCLain said.

McCLain also sought to clarify that no tax dollars would be used for the lights portion of the project. He said Glenbard West would rely on funding from booster groups and community organizations, similar to how other Glenbard schools funded their stadium lights. McCLain said residents expressed concern over how much it would cost to power the lights, but he said projections are only $5 per hour. For those worried about leftover trash, McClain said school staff will ensure that any litter will be picked up after every game or event at the field.

McClain said many residents were misinformed about a sound system at the field. McClain said there will be no permanent sound system. However, he did say Glenbard West would rely on a portable system that would be used for player introductions and the national anthem.

Although not given an opportunity to address the board due to time constraints, members of Our Field Our Town have expressed concern about light pollution, noise from a permanent sound system at the field and use of school funds for upgrading other athletic facilities to the detriment of funding academic programs.

Jim Ozog, an attorney representing Our Field Our Town, said until he had the chance to cross examine the District 87 representatives he would withhold commenting on Thursday night’s events. Kirk Burger, president of the group, said he would also withhold comment until he testifies against the proposal at the next plan commission.

The next plan commission meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8. At that time the members opposed to the installation of lights will cross-examine the district's experts that spoke during Thursday's hearing.