Local groups fundraising for Field 1 lights

A community effort aiming to bring light to the high school’s Field 1 is again gaining momentum.

The Weston Boosters and several youth sports teams are teaming up to raise money to light up the hockey field, which is one of two turf fields on the Middle School and High School campus and, according to Recreation Commission member Trevor MacDonald, the most-used field on the grounds.

MacDonald presented the plan to the School Committee on Monday evening. He presented the estimated $500,000 quote from Musco Lighting, which handled Proctor Field’s lights, and an estimated completion date, if the process goes smoothly, of next fall. The School Committee previously supported the project in 2023, when it was first brought forward, but Macdonald wanted to get the board’s blessing again.

“I believe we have close to $150,000 to $200,000 with youth sports and the Boosters, so we’re almost halfway there,” MacDonald said. “I feel optimistic that we will be able to do it privately funded, but we can always go back to the [Community Preservation Committee].”

The field was built in 2007, and like the anticipated light project, was also privately funded. Electrical conduits were put in place, but the lights didn’t go forward. When the school district pushed school hours back in 2018, it pushed athletic program start times back, and the need for lights increased. MacDonald said if the Middle School and High School campus project and fire station project proceed, several fields will be lost, and demand for Field 1 will be driven higher.

MacDonald added that the turf field “can be used most days, even with the weather not being great.”

Director of Athletics Michael McGrath said he is “grateful” for the community effort to light up Field 1, as daylight is limited in the fall and the junior varsity team often has to play truncated games because it gets too dark.

“As the months start to change in the fall, we lose more and more daylight, and unfortunately, with field hockey primarily, varsity always plays first around 4 o’clock,” McGrath said in a phone interview. “It would be very beneficial for our field hockey program, but [also] for all of our Weston High School programs and the youth programs in town.”

Superintendent Karen Zaleski said the administration also supports the project, but utility costs should be considered.

“We do have to be mindful of the fiscal considerations,” she said at the meeting.

While the project proponents continue fundraising, MacDonald said he is hopeful that the lights can be switched on by the next fall season.

“[Musco Lighting is] ready when we give them the go-ahead to start the design work,” he said. “I don’t have a specific timeline, but I would love to do it sooner rather than later.”