DHS Lights final

Pilot Program ProposalDHS PORTABLE LIGHTS Replicating the light we had on the first day of practice…on the last day of practice…so we can provide a safe practice environment for our teams for their entire season. : 

Pilot Program ProposalDHS PORTABLE LIGHTS Replicating the light we had on the first day of practice…on the last day of practice…so we can provide a safe practice environment for our teams for their entire season. Presented to the Darien Board of Education October 7, 2008

GOAL OF THE PILOT PROGRAM : 

GOAL OF THE PILOT PROGRAM The purpose of this pilot program is to provide a safe environment to a variety of DHS and youth sports programs for their practices by re-creating the sunlight available the first week of September through the end of November. Benefits of the Pilot Program would be: Provide a safer environment for practices in days where flat light occurs due to cloud cover Provide a safer environment for car congestion that occurs at drop off/pick up Maximize the use of the stadium turf field, a precious asset for the community, for all parties Reduce injuries directly related to the lack of light on our fields

MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS : 

MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS No disruption to the neighbors anymore than presently exists No greater impact on neighborhood from noise and practices than already exists Youth sports will be flexible and sensitive to DHS Athletics To help minimize the true advantage other towns have on Darien Athletics on both the FCIAC and State levels

PROGRAMS BENEFITING FROM PILOT PROGRAM : 

PROGRAMS BENEFITING FROM PILOT PROGRAM The following four programs would benefit from the approval on the Pilot Program: DHS Boys Football 115 DHS Girls Field Hockey 60 Darien youth football 325 Darien youth field hockey 575 Total Darien youths & DHS students benefiting 1,175

SUMMARY OF THE PILOT PROGRAM : 

SUMMARY OF THE PILOT PROGRAM Augment existing ‘grandfathered’ portable light at DHS Stadium Turf with five additional portable light posts so entire turf field is completely covered with light Lights for weeknight practices only - no games, no weekends Lights off - 8:30PM Proposed light posts conform to P&Z ordinances - 20ft max Darien youth sports to pay for the pilot program including: Rental Cost - Maintenance - Insurance - Operating Costs Lights positioned at North & East end of turf field - pointed away from all residential neighborhoods Pilot program runs until the end of any DHS playoff schedule

BACKGROUND ON THE LACK OF NATURAL SUNLIGHT : 

BACKGROUND ON THE LACK OF NATURAL SUNLIGHT As each week passes in the fall, the natural sunlight available to conduct practice decreases substantially making it difficult to run a safe and effective practice. For example: Sunset in early September 7:30 PM Sunset in early October 6:30 PM Sunset in late October 6:00 PM Sunset in early November (after Daylights Savings) 4:30 PM Therefore: All four sports programs loose 3 hours of practice time by the end of their season

ALLOCATION OF FIELD SPACE : 

ALLOCATION OF FIELD SPACE Both DHS sports teams will take priority in allocation of field space. Both youth sports teams will work together to divide the remaining time. Neither organizations will play any games nor have any broadcasts of any kind during this time period. Exception - DHS girls field hockey that may have a game called for darkness and would be allowed to finish an existing game under the lights.

PORTABLE LIGHT DESCRIPTION : 

PORTABLE LIGHT DESCRIPTION