Ball fields getting new lights

Howe Youth Baseball's Past Presidents Kent Akins and Scott Thurman had big dreams of rejuvenating the two fields known as Hash Field (10U) and North Field (14U) The area was once known as Bi-Centennial Park due to its creation in 1976 The name never caught on, but the baseball did

Last March, Thurman contacted the city for help in upgrading the feeble lighting at the two ball fields

He contacted Techline in Van Alstyne to have a study done on the lighting and the cost effectiveness of a full replacement project. The study showed that the fields currently have 126 Tungsten Halogen Quartz lights at 1500 watts each. The new upgrade will be a reduction in the number of lights from 126 to 60, but would be more lighting from the Standard Metal Halide (MH) lights to be installed Also the study by Techline showed that the lighting angles will be adjusted for maximum coverage The North Field will be the same level of lighting as a high school baseball field, whereas, Hash Field will be the exact amount needed for 10 and under play

The total cost for the lighting came to $18,000 and was funded by the Howe Development Alliance's 4B Corporation The new lighting will save 65 percent in electricity cost per year which would lower the annual cost of lighting from $10,000 to roughly $3,300. That equates to the investment paying off in three years. GCEC is providing the installation