Friday night lights are a step closer to becoming reality for T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
Thursday night, the Alexandria City School Board voted 8-1 to move ahead with the process of installing lighting on the Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium field. The next step is for the city’s Planning Commission to review a request to amend the Development Special Use Permit and any related restrictions.
“While there are many steps to realizing lights at Parker-Gray Stadium, this first step is important in order to allow ACPS to plan field and property improvements,” School Board Chair Karen Graf said in a press release.
The school district also said in making the decision, the School Board had to consider the city’s limited recreation space and how lighted fields extend the use of existing facilities. The Board also agreed through its vote that advances in light and sound technology would allow for control and management to limit disruption for neighbors.
Neighbors have expressed concern that stadium lighting would disrupt their quality of life. Beyond, the bright lights, they fear the lighting will mean more events and more traffic for their neighborhood.
T.C. Williams is the only high school in Northern Virginia without lighting at its football stadium, according to district officials. Right now, the football team plays home games on Saturday afternoons.
