The lighting proposal for five sports pitches will be submitted for consideration by the Planning Commission in October

After several community meetings and discussions, the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Department (RPCA) is moving forward with permit applications for new lights on five sports fields.

The series of Special Use Permits are to be reviewed at the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, October 6.

The RPCA is requesting authorizations for fires on the following sites:

• Francis C Hammond College
• George Washington College
• Jefferson Houston Elementary School
• Patrick Henry Primary School and Leisure Center
• Simpson Stadium Park Athletic Field

The new lighting on the grounds is part of the City Council’s 2022 Community Priority to Support Youth and Families, which sets out goals to expand capacity for youth programs and provide more equitable access to facilities and services .

City officials previously said it was unlikely that all five fields would be lit simultaneously. As the program rolls out over the next few years, Parks and Cultural Activities Division Chief Jack Browand said the two colleges and Jefferson Houston are in a better position to get the lights on sooner rather than later. Ongoing works at the Patrick Henry and Eugene Simpson stadiums mean that the pitches will not be able to be lit until 2024 and 2025 respectively.