Extended Use of Lights for Night Games Passes Zoning Commission

After hearing from an enthusiastic, standing-room-only crowd, the Town Plan and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special permit to allow lights at the Farmington High School football field for four nights of lacrosse play during the spring season — two for the girls team and two for the boys.

The vote came after a public hearing where every speaker supported the proposal.

Kay Miranda, a member of the board of directors of the Lacrosse Booster Club, started the discussion by declaring, "Lacrosse is the fastest game on two feet," one whose popularity is exploding.

Currently 125 Farmington High School students play at the developmental, junior varsity and varsity level, while 200 athletes from kindergarten to eighth grade are waiting in the wings. But all are hurt by the sport's confinement to games that begin at 4 p.m.

Because so many parents work, Miranda explained, most Farmington High School moms and dads only see their children play on senior day, when they take a day off from work. And yet, all other sports at the high school have late games; until now, lacrosse did not.

She outlined her group's frustration at not being able to play at Tunxis Mead. They had been told that those lighted fields were used exclusively for soccer, a point that disappointed Plan and Zoning Commission member Bill Stanford. 

"We're not talking 10,000 people," said the former Texas resident. "We're not talking tailgating."

Rebutting another potential objection, Miranda pointed out that the impact on homeowners in the Highlands, the neighborhood nearest to the high school,  would be minimal, especially in the spring, since twilight arrives  so late at that time of year. The game would begin at 7 p.m. and, unless it went into overtime, it would end by 8:30, 15 minutes after sunset. The band doesn't play and the cheerleaders don't attend, so there would be "no spillage in the neighborhood."

"We're really trying to make it so parents can get there," she concluded.

Speaker after speaker followed her to the podium.

Steve Sopelak, himself a Highlands resident, said lacrosse was  the "only sport that I know of that has games that it's difficult for a parent to get to." Moreover, as president of Farmington Youth Lacrosse, he was seeking a way for younger players to see their older role models play.

Jill Bergen, another Highlands resident, said that the lights from high school events were not a problem. In fact, she said, "the tennis lights are far worse than football lights."

Libby Gallo of Old Village Lane described herself as a working parent and noted how difficult it is to make a game at 4 o'clock.

"I represent many working parents. After years and years of driving kids to practice," she said, she wanted to go watch them play. Other parents noted that night play would be helpful to scouts looking at athletes applying for college and seeking scholarships.

Perhaps the most emotional plea came from Brigit Hogan, a senior lacrosse captain.

"It would mean the world to us — playing under the lights gives us the opportunity to play in front of parents and friends."

When it was all over, the panel declared the decision "tough" because of past promises to Highland residents a long time ago.

But, added Barbara Brenneman, "all sports should have a night game." In fact, she was more concerned about neighbors' complaints about the tennis lights than by the lacrosse application.

Commission member Tim LeBouthellier picked up on her concern.

"So they run all night sometimes. Who pays for the (tennis) lights — oh, we do."

As for the lacrosse lights, he noted that the request was for less than six hours in the spring time. "It's not like they'll be blaring in the dark." He added, "we need to support this. This is important to (the students) and it's nice to see it. All athletes should have the opportunity to play at night."

After everyone had a chance to speak, every commission member did, in fact, support the measure with member Philip Dunn drawing the bottom line: "It's a no-brainer to expand the use a little."

Their decision was greeted by applause.

Said Miranda, "we're all just really happy and we're going to go back and plan these games and we want to invite everyone to come."