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Stadium Lights

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Winning! Neighbors Seem Simpatico With York Stadium

Resident surveys turn up no big issues.

Halfway through the school year, if any neighbor of York High School has a major issue with the stadium lights and public address system at the school's Clarence D. East Field, they haven't told the York Community Advisory Committee about it. The group reported results of its recent York-area survey to the City Council's Development, Zoning and Planning Committee Monday night. This community group was formed in the wake of controversy surrounding the use of lights and the sound system on the field, among other issues. Debates and public hearings surrounding the issue lasted nearly a year. The advisory committee surveyed 120 homes around the field and received 29 responses. All of them indicated that the situation is satisfactory or much …

In this Article:

Plan to Extend Use of Lights at York Stadium Exposes Longstanding List of Grievances from Neighbors, No Ordinance Yet on Stadium Lights at York, and Testimony is Done; Zoning Commission Will Begin Deliberations on York Stadium Use Feb. 24

Glenda Worrell

9:22 am on Tuesday, December 13, 2011

We've been very happy with the new lights --- HUGE difference! (Thank you!) The jury is out on the sound ... we'll see what impact changes deliver this spring when athletes take to the field. Our thanks to the YCAC for being diligent.   more ›

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Elmhurst College's Langhorst Field Will Host Night Games Thanks to New Stadium Lights

While York High School's stadium lights created a year-long controversy, the situation at Elmhurst College is "totally different," facilities director says.

Elmhurst College will host its first night game Sept. 10 at Langhorst Field, thanks to the recent addition of permanent lights at the field. The renovation, completed in early July, also includes a new state-of-the-art synthetic turf.  “The lighting will certainly be an added bonus to our existing sports and will be a necessity as we add lacrosse a year from now,” said Elmhurst College Athletic Director Paul Krohn. “We’ve always had temporary lighting for practices but not for contests. It was the perfect time to complete the field with the new turf and lighting.” But in the midst of all the excitement, it is hard to forget about the recent controversy just a few blocks away at York High School.  After a year of heated debate between the …

In this Article:

Elmhurst College, Plan to Extend Use of Lights at York Stadium Exposes Longstanding List of Grievances from Neighbors, Testimony is Done; Zoning Commission Will Begin Deliberations on York Stadium Use Feb. 24, and 2 more ›

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Lights Go On at York Stadium Thursday

The public is invited to a enjoy performance by the York Marching Band and have some ice cream, or just toss a ball around under the lights.

York High School neighbors and the entire Elmhurst community are invited to the ceremonial "turning on of the lights" at 8 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Aug. 11, at York's Clarence D. East Field across from the school, 355 W. St. Charles Road. The event is the culmination of nearly a year of sometimes heated negotiations between the city, the York Community Advisory Council and others on the use of the stadium. New lights, retrofitted on original light stands installed in 1986, will light the field without casting any "spill" on the neighboring homes. The new lights also are expected to save the district about $40,000 a year through their energy efficiency. The state-of-the-art "hooded" lighting was installed by Adlite Electrical at a cost of …

In this Article:

Plan to Extend Use of Lights at York Stadium Exposes Longstanding List of Grievances from Neighbors, Anonymous Donor Offers to Pay for New Stadium Lights at York, Let There be Light: School Board Accepts $150,000 Donation for York Stadium Lights, and 1 more ›

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Elmhurst City Council OKs York Lights Proposal

New lights, sound ordinance will expire after 18-month trial period.

One of the more divisive local debates in recent history may come to an amicable end in two weeks. Elmhurst City Council on Monday unanimously approved a committee report allowing for generous use of stadium lights and public address system at York High School's Clarence D. East Field. The proposal authorizes light use from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays. Lights also would be allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, but District 205 officials previously said they hope to restrict the use of lights to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The public address system would only be used for scheduled games, and lights could not be used during Sundays. These rules would be enforced in the same …

In this Article:

York Stadium Proposal Heads to City Council, Anonymous Donor Offers to Pay for New Stadium Lights at York, and School Officials Hear Residents' Concerns About Stadium Lights

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Darlene Heslop

2:46 pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2011

i agree...i was at the meeting at which the ycac group came and made their recommendations to the city...i give this group all the credit in the world and hope that they continue to show the city council a thing or two about transparent, open, and citizen-centered, participatory, government. they are setting a great example for the young people of this community and my kudos to all of them... .   more ›

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

York Stadium Proposal Heads to City Council

During a proposed 18-month trial period, students would be allowed generous use of the field.

York athletic teams, marching band and other school groups soon may be allowed to use York's Clarence D. East Stadium virtually unencumbered, thanks to new lighting and sound systems that are reportedly not intrusive to neighbors. Elmhurst's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee recommended Monday night that York be able to use the field—with stadium lights and sound—from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays. Lights also would be allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, but district officials said they hope to restrict the use of lights to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The public address system would only be used for scheduled games, and neither lights nor sound would be used on …

In this Article:

Anonymous Donor Offers to Pay for New Stadium Lights at York, Sun May Set on York Lights Ordinance, David Pruneau Introduced as the New Superintendent of Elmhurst Unit District 205, and 2 more ›

Jim Court

8:31 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Bob, In no way am I suggesting that we abolish anything. My thought was that advertising could support the cost. It is an idea worth exploring.It would add status, functionality, and solve the noise and light problems. I do not understand why people do not keep an open mind and try to seek out positive and constructive solutions. Donors might come forward as a result of naming rights. I never …   more ›

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sun May Set on York Lights Ordinance

Council committee ponders temporary ordinance during proposed trial period.

The new lights at Clarence D. East turned out to be a game-changer in how the city approaches stadium lights and sound at York High School. A group of neighbors and York parents are so confident that the new lights, to be installed next month, will be so effective in reducing spill that they now seek "self-governance" for the next year. "Our overall goal is to use this new technology and maximize use of the field so our kids can play, but do it in a way that’s considerate and fair to the neighbors and not put an undue burden on the people," resident David Kleinhans said Monday during an Elmhurst Development, Planning and Zoning Committee meeting. An anonymous donor contributed $150,000 for the purchase and installation of the new lights. …

In this Article:

Anonymous Donor Offers to Pay for New Stadium Lights at York and Zoning Commission Passes a Proposal for York Stadium Use

Monday, June 27, 2011

Elmhurst City Council Breaks Into Committees Tonight

Here is a list of discussion topics; public is welcome to address the aldermen.

Elmhurst aldermen will meet in their respective committees tonight at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 209 N. York St. Thanks to a new law, residents will be able to speak for up to three minutes on topics relevant to each committee. Development, Planning and Zoning Committee First on the agenda is York High School's request to increase use at Clarence D. East Stadium. Since this issue first arose last year, an anonymous donor has agreed to pay for a new lighting system at the stadium that will virtually eliminate light "spill" into the surrounding neighborhood. York Advisory Council representatives have said they hope the installation of new lights will nullify the need for an ordinance. The DPZ Committee also will look at a recommendation for an …

In this Article:

Plan to Extend Use of Lights at York Stadium Exposes Longstanding List of Grievances from Neighbors and Let There be Light: School Board Accepts $150,000 Donation for York Stadium Lights

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Let There be Light: School Board Accepts $150,000 Donation for York Stadium Lights

Next step is convincing the City Council that an ordinance restricting stadium use is no longer needed.

For nine months, Elmhurst Unit District 205, along with the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission, has been pondering the best way to get the most use out of the York High School stadium without upsetting neighbors. But on Tuesday night, the School Board voted unanimously to accept what stadium neighbor Jacob Hill called a “fair and equitable solution for all parties.” Hill had been a vocal opponent to the district’s plan to increase stadium use. School Board members voted to accept an offer from an anonymous donor to pay the entire cost of retrofitting the lights at the stadium so they don’t shine onto neighbors’ properties. It is hoped that the measure, along with upgrades to the stadium’s sound system already in the works, will avoid …

In this Article:

School Officials Hear Residents' Concerns About Stadium Lights, Testimony is Done; Zoning Commission Will Begin Deliberations on York Stadium Use Feb. 24, and Zoning Commission Passes a Proposal for York Stadium Use

Jim Court

10:39 am on Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Excellent solution and so positive for our community ! On this rainy day I wonder if the next step might be to create an enclosed stadium using perhaps precast concrete with a roof. Advertising space could be sold to offset expenses. We could have activities during the whole year and nothing would ever get canceled.   more ›

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Anonymous Donor Offers to Pay for New Stadium Lights at York

Recommendation to the School Board tonight will be to accept the $150,000 donation.

A donor has come forward and offered to underwrite the entire stadium light retrofit project at the Clarence D. East Field at York High School. The donor is asking that the $150,000 donation remain anonymous.  The use of sound and lights at the stadium has been a point of contention between York High School and neighbors of the stadium since last September. A solution to reduce the sound spill in the neighborhood during athletic and other activities already is under way. The lighting fix had been put on hold due to the cost of the project. The new lighting system would virtually eliminate “light spill” into the adjacent neighborhoods, which had been one of the major complaints of nearby residents. An ordinance on overall stadium use has …

In this Article:

Testimony is Done; Zoning Commission Will Begin Deliberations on York Stadium Use Feb. 24, Plan to Extend Use of Lights at York Stadium Exposes Longstanding List of Grievances from Neighbors, and Zoning Commission Passes a Proposal for York Stadium Use

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Karen Chadra

9:46 am on Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The district did not have any money in the budget for the lights.   more ›

Friday, April 29, 2011

Zoning Commission Passes a Proposal for York Stadium Use

Recommendation heads to the Development, Planning and Zoning Committee and, eventually, to the full City Council for a vote.

A report on the use of stadium lights and sound at York High School's Clarence D. East Field was passed by the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission Thursday night and is on its way to a committee of the City Council. By the end of the three-hour meeting, commissioners had passed a proposal, originally presented by Commissioner Alan Brinkmeier, with a few tweaks. Under the plan, Elmhurst Unit District 205 can only use the stadium lights from March 15 to June 15, and from Aug. 15 to Nov. 30. Lights would only be allowed on from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends (Friday and Saturday) and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. Lights are not allowed on Sundays. The sound system would be allowed from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, and only during …

In this Article:

Testimony is Done; Zoning Commission Will Begin Deliberations on York Stadium Use Feb. 24, Plan to Extend Use of Lights at York Stadium Exposes Longstanding List of Grievances from Neighbors, and School Officials Hear Residents' Concerns About Stadium Lights

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