Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The lights are on.
Painesville Little League is entering a new era. The light system is installed and in operation, this project is the beginning of a new era for us. The Calhoun field is now a real tournament field.
This system gives the field a whole new look and has made a huge impact on the park and the city.
This project took over 14 months to become a reality, we worked hard to get it installed before the winter and wet weather could bring us to a stop with the progress. There are many people who made this possible and we would like to thank you all, first and foremost the person who wrote the award winning manual that brought us National recognition, Kellie Hitchcock. Musco Lighting Company who provides the systems to leagues who win the award, Kevin Haladic form Musco who put up with my constant phone calls and questions.
We were fortunate enough to find Bill Wing, owner of Wing Electric, Bill and his crew came in to the park met with us and told us what he could do for us, Bill has installed many of these systems at area schools and parks, his company and crew are the finest people in the industry, they walked me thru the entire project and gave us the advice we needed to finish this and make sure it is the safest system around.
Patrick Remington, and Scott Marut came in a dug all of trenches for the underground wiring, helped in laying the conduit and back filling, with out their help I am not sure we would have finished so quickly.
Joe Kallay and Darryl Lory, our electricians who ran all of the wiring and made all of the connections to the poles, they installed the power panels working for several days to complete this, these men made the project possible, with out them I dont think we would have been able to do this. We are forever indebted to you for all you have done.
City manager Rita McMahon, who came to aid and made sure all of the main power lines were brought in and for helping us financially with the wire to complete this.
Lee Homyock, Director of Parks and Recreation for his contribution, along with Steve Hubbell they helped to make this a reality. Jarod McCrone who helped us with the transport of the system and for storing it for us in a secured area until we ready to begin, Brian Lambo, for making the wedges on short notice to install the poles, you guys are the greatest and a real asset to the department.
The guys at power distribution who ran the lines and set the poles, removed the trees that had to come down and made sure the power lines were hooked up for us, Douglas Colbary, for helping put us in the right direction.
So many people were involved in this project and made it possible, all volunteers who give their time and resources to make the park a better place, Bob & Christie, for all their time and taking the pictures so we can display them on our website so everyone can follow the project.
The Board of directors of Painesville Little League for allowing me to do what ever I needed to do in order to get this project completed, Kent Marks, you were instrumental in setting up the project and lining up help in the areas most needed.
I hope I have not left anyone out, if I have it was an oversight and certainly not intentional, with out all of you this would not have been possible, on behalf of the board of directors, we want to thank you all again and invite all of you the Grand opening of the field in the spring of 2008, for the first time in Painesville Little Leagues history we will hold our opening day at night, will have an on field ceremony and play our first game under the lights on April 18, 2008
As we enter a new era for baseball we are also leaving behind a legacy that for years to come the participants of Painesville Little League.
God bless you all for what you have done.
Chuck Asbury, President
Painesville Little League
