YORK "Lights On" at the Clarence D. Field Tonight!

York Plans "Lights On" Stadium Event August 11

On Thursday, August 11, at 8 PM the York Community Advisory Council (YCAC) and York High School neighbors will celebrate the completion of this summer’s lighting retrofit project at Clarence D. East Field. The Marching Band will play; there will be a ceremonial turning on of the new lights; and ice cream will be served. The community is invited to attend. To read more about this project, access the related District 205 news item via this link.

York High School athletic teams, marching band and other school groups will be allowed generous use of the Clarence D. East Stadium for the next 18 months, thanks to new lighting and sound systems that have been installed in deference to the surrounding neighborhood.

Elmhurst's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee recommended, and on August 1 the City Council approved, that use of the field—with stadium lights and sound—be allowed from 5:30 AM to 9 PM on Monday through Thursday, and from 5:30 AM to 11 PM on Fridays. Lights will also be allowed on from 7 AM to 11 PM on Saturdays, although District officials plan to restrict the use of lights to 7 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays.

The public address system will only be used for scheduled games, and neither lights nor sound will be used on Sundays. These rules will be enforced in the same manner as any other City ordinance.

The installation of new lights on the existing poles virtually eliminates light spill into the adjacent neighborhoods. A new sound system also greatly reduces the amount of noise reaching neighbors’ homes. Funding for the lights was provided by an anonymous donor, who will be paid back through private fund-raising efforts.

The 18-month ordinance includes a sunset clause that expires February of 2013. A clause allowing for extension beyond that date, without going back to City Hall, will depend on the success of this trial period.

"The community should be very proud of this group and how they came together. The request is a win-win for both sides," said District 205 Superintendent David Pruneau. “This is a balance between using a facility for benefiting the youth of Elmhurst, and at the same time honoring the citizens in that neighborhood and serving their needs."

Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Published:8/9/11 Audience: Homepage and York Community High School