Three Eastside schools to get portable lighting

Costa Mesa’s Parks and Recreation Commission approved a plan Thursday to install portable lighting at three Eastside school district fields for the next few years, starting with Back Bay High School.

Beginning next month, the Eastside campus on Monte Vista Avenue will have six portable light units, operating from dusk to about 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, through March.

In October 2016 through March 2017, the lights will be installed at Harper Preschool.

Following their run at Harper, they would be moved to Kaiser Elementary School, from October 2017 through March 2018.

The diesel-powered units will allow each of the school’s fields, which lack permanent lighting fixtures, to be used for longer periods of time by youth sports participants. The lights will be locked and caged at all times, and operated by either city staff or trained volunteers.

They will also have sound curtains around them to minimize noise traveling to adjacent homes.

City officials say the lights will help meet demand for using fields after sunset in Costa Mesa, where lit facilities are few.

Last month, staff conducted meetings with Back Bay High School neighbors to demonstrate the lights and alleviate concerns.

The city has allocated $8,000 this fiscal year for Back Bay’s units: $3,000 for more sound curtains, $1,500 for diesel fuel, $1,000 for maintenance and repair, and $2,500 for workers, dubbed “field ambassadors,” who will be on the campuses when the lights are in use.

Portable lighting has been used at Kaiser and Harper before, staff noted.

In 2012 and 2013, Harper had six light units, used by AYSO Region 97. This year and last year, Region 97 also used lights at Kaiser.