Lighting Next Priority for Berns Community Field

After about a year since the opening of Sam Berns community field, school officials are now looking at additions to complete the complex, mainly lighting and stands.

“We made a commitment to not go to the next town meeting and wait for the next phases, and now that the community sees that it’s used, it’s time to start talking about the next phases. We’ve been quiet but it’s almost time to start,” superintendent Debra Spinelli said at a recent school committee meeting.

According to numbers from the original complex estimate and presented by Bill Yukna, the cost of lights start at $150,000 with options going up to $250,000. Electrical distribution, contingency, and engineering, would cost $51,250.

The bleachers are estimated to costs $412,000, with the press box coming in at $75,000.

A synthetic track surface is expected to run $472,000.

According to Yukna, the next phase of the project will likely be the installation of the lights in order to give the field extended use into the evening.

“From day one I’ve gotten a lot of calls that felt that the lights should be pushed next,” Yukna said.

He added that he would like to do the lighting first so all the electrical work for the field can be laid down before the stands, concession booth, restroom and track are placed above the wiring.

Any additions to the community field complex will require the approval of a town meeting vote or a contribution from a private donor.

Click here to see the full list of estimated costs for future additions to Berns Community Field.