ALBEMARLE — Two of Albemarle’s most popular parks will soon have new lighting at their ballfields.
At the Albemarle City Council meeting on Nov. 18, the council discussed and unanimously approved a contract with Musco Sports Lighting that will authorize a light replacement project at both Don Montgomery Park and Rock Creek Park.
The park renovations, with an estimated completion time of early March 2025, add up to a $743,565 cost to the city.
“I know you guys approved the project budget on the consent agenda, so I just wanted to bring the contract to you,” said Lisa Kiser, director of Albemarle Parks and Recreation. “It’s an eight-to-12-week manufacturing time, so we’re looking at hopefully early March.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Sue Hall asked Kiser who would be the first to use the ballfields and their updated lighting, with the parks and rec director confirming that it would be high schools within the county.
“I’m just thrilled with this. Thank you,” Hall said.
Hall then made a motion to approve the proposed contracts from Musco — a member of the cooperative purchasing organization Sourcewell — that received a second from Councilmember Benton Drye prior to a 7-0 vote.
Within the contract, roughly 60% of the funding ($456,387) will go to the lighting replacements at Don Montgomery Park, located at the intersection of US Highway 52 and Efird Street.
As of 2023, the park is the home of the Uwharrie Wampus Cats wood-bat collegiate baseball team that is approaching its third season next summer, as well as Albemarle Dixie Youth baseball, Albemarle Babe Ruth baseball, and Albemarle High School baseball.
Don Montgomery Park is connected to the Roger F. Snyder Greenway and hosts a playground and picnic shelter, along with its variety of ballfields.
The other 40% of the contract funding ($287,178) is designated for Rock Creek Park, located at 114 Rock Creek Drive.
Built in the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, the park contains a swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts, a softball field, playground, one-mile walking trail, and picnic shelter.
Musco Sports Lighting is slated to install its Light-Structure System with Total Light Control, complete with a Control-Link control and monitoring setup that will provide remote on/off and dimming control and performance monitoring.
According to the approved contracts, the project will use precast concrete bases, galvanized steel poles, remote electrical component enclosures, wire harnesses, and assembled luminaires.
The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.