The lighting project at the Putnam County Soccer Complex is just weeks away from completion, but there is still work to be done.
Putnam County Parks and Rec Director Cody Maynard said the bids came in right around budget, and a bid has been awarded for installation of the new poles. Maynard said the pole locations have been marked, and work on the installation of a pole began Monday.
“We’re waiting on some, the delivery of the poles,” Maynard said. “We’re going to go ahead and get with the company installing the new 80 foot poles. They’re going to go ahead and pre-drill and get that set up so that we’re not as, we’re not really pushed once the pole delivery comes in.”
Maynard said the next phase of the project is installing the new poles. After poles are installed, electricity will be brought in for the new LED lights.
Maynard said the electricity will come from the City of Cookeville. The county is currently working on the bids.
Maynard said lights at the old field will be retrofitted. Lights have already been in place on the old fields, but the new fields have never had lights before.
“Switching over to these new LED lights is going to be a win-win for the county,” Maynard said. “It’ll be a brighter light and brighter field spaces. So it’s definitely a win for the citizens of Putnam County, the citizens that use the field, and the county as well.”
Maynard said the addition of new lights should increase the usage of the new fields, particularly after dark. Maynard said there is strong demand for fields, so more availability at night is an added bonus.
“There’s a lot of different athletic divisions that run out there,” Maynard said. “The complex is utilized seven days a week.”
The estimated cost of the project was some $800,000. Bids were taken during the winter, and the county has been working on the project all summer long. Maynard said his goal is to have the lighting project done by the middle of September.
