Lights at Glenbard West a bad idea

The Glenbard High School District 87 board will soon be voting on a proposal to add artificial turf and lights to Glenbard West High School's (GWHS) Memorial Park and Duchon Field. As I understand it the cost for these projects would be approximately $4 million, which would be split equally between the District 87, the Glen Ellyn Park District and a private citizens group. I believe this proposal should not be approved for the following reasons:

* Saturday afternoon games in the fall are a GWHS tradition and distinction that would be lost by moving the football games to Friday night. (Duchon Field was recently rated by ESPN at No. 7 on the list of the best places to watch high school football in the nation.)

* This is not a Green or environmentally friendly change - loss of green space, artificial turf, need to raise the Duchon Field by three feet or more would change natural flood plain, heavy carbon footprint and significant nighttime light pollution.

* Lake Ellyn Park could lose much of its parklike character and natural charm with the significant nearby increase in youth sports activity.

* The cost is very significant in hard economic times and with decreasing tax revenue.

* The Glen Ellyn Park District, which would like full time use of the fields, already has lighted fields at Ackerman Park four blocks away and a great set up for youth football at Newton Park. Why spend park district tax dollars on this?

* The negative impact to the school's neighbors needs to be considered.

If you agree that this project should not proceed, please contact the school board and sign the petition at http://www.ipetition.com/petition/GlenbardWest/.

Dale Siligmueller

Glen Ellyn