WESTBROOK – Ray Richardson, who is raising money to help purchase lights for Westbrook High School’s Olmsted Field, said he has a little more than $8,000 to go.
Richardson, who hosts a talk show on WLOB, had previously wished to remain anonymous during his fundraising efforts. But on Monday, he said $41,500 has been raised so far, out of the $50,000 needed before the city and school department each kick in their $50,000 share toward the effort.
The 40-year-old Olmsted Field lights were removed in October, after one light was discovered dangling dangerously. Superintendent of School Marc Gousse said upon closer look, the lighting was deemed to be hazardous and removed. Newer lighting fixtures will provide better visibility on the field and work more efficiently than the old system, which was put up on wooden cross pieces by the National Guard in 1973.
During Monday night’s City Council meeting, councilors unanimously approved the first reading to spend $50,000 for the lights project, but Gousse said that until the payments have been deposited into an account, the school would not contribute its third of the funding.
“The School Committee directed me not to release those funds until the deposits have been confirmed for the other $100,000. I’m always nervous about fundraising,” Gousse said on Monday.
Richardson, who spoke during Monday’s council meeting, said he decided to begin the fundraising efforts after reading that the School Committee was not purchasing new lighting in the 2013-2014 budget.
“Westbrook is one of three communities in the area who don’t have lights on their fields. When the lights came down half way through season, there were many parents who had to make the choice between working and going to those games,” Richardson said. “We held up festivities on senior night, we held up on certain activities for one parent to attend.”
According to City Administrator Jerre Bryant, the $50,000 from the city will come out of the Capital Improvement Program. The money from the school department will come from a surplus account.
Bryant said Richardson has received $5,000 in donations from the Recreation & Conservation Commission and $15,000 from the Westbrook Environment Improvement Corp., while the rest has come from private donations.
The new lights could, in the end, be a cost savings to the school because of their higher efficiency. Modern lights can even be turned on and off using a smartphone instead of a traditional power switch.
The initial estimate for the cost of the lights is approximately $135,000, but Gousse said he wanted to have some money set aside in case there was an unforeseen price associated with the project.
The City Council is expected to approve the $50,000 for the lights during the next council meeting sometime this month. Once Richardson raises the last $8,500 and the deposits have been confirmed, the school department will go forward with the project.
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