Lighting planned for another Libertyville Little League field
Libertyville Little League is making another big investment in its facilities at Butler Lake Park by installing lights at the field used by 10- to 12-year-old players.
The estimated $60,000 project would provide four light standards at the AAA field in the far northwest corner of the complex used by the league. It is the latest in a series of upgrades there during the past few years.
Lights at AAA field long have been discussed by the league's governing board as a way to increase the time available for play and to attract visiting teams for tournaments. Lights were installed on the Flood Field for opening day 2010, with provisions that would allow for the eventual lighting of AAA Field. This will be the third lighted field of the six used by the league.
This project was sparked by a cash donation and fundraising effort by the philanthropic Scholz family in honor of the late John D. "Jack" Scholz, a senior executive at Abbott and former coach in the Little League program. A personal contribution from his widow, Diane, was the impetus for the project, according to Lance A. Schart, league spokesman.
Musco Sports Lighting LLC provided a discount worth $15,000 for materials, and Aldridge Electric is donating the installation. The remaining $15,000 will come from Little League special project and surplus funds.
"We've had this in our sights for several years." Schart said. "We've set this money aside for this specific purpose."
During the past few years, improvements at the AAA field have totaled $100,000. The projects have included foundations for a future elevated press box, scorers booth and sound system, as well as new dugouts, fencing and bleachers.
"These combined resources enable the sports league to continue its tradition of making improvements without the use of tax dollars," according to Bill Bennett, Libertyville Little League president.
The Little League is a nonprofit youth sports organization that has a long-term $1-per-year lease with the village to use the facilities at Butler Lake Park.
Residents of Libertyville, Green Oaks, the Rondout area, Lancaster neighborhood and Great Lakes naval base, aged 5 to 18, play in the league. Participation peaked in 2010 with 909 players. Registration is at 603 for 2016, a slight increase over 2015. Schart said 163 players would be using the AAA field.
Schart said the availability of other sports, economic downtown and birthrates have played a role in those numbers.
"If you look at school registration, it mirrors our membership," he said.
Other improvements, such as better drainage and new natural turf at the Robert E. Bennett field, used by 15- to 18-year-olds, are meant to attract players and tournaments and increase revenues through fees and concessions. Depending on weather, the AAA field lights are expected to be installed by early April in time for opening day.