Softball league’s pitch for lights scores with Iqaluit city council

Iqaluit city council has backed a pitch from a local softball league to install lights on the city’s diamond this summer.

Darren Penney, vice-president of the Iqaluit Slo-Pitch League, presented his organization’s proposal to install 10 lighting fixtures around the city-owned ballpark at Tuesday’s council meeting.

The cost of the LED lights themselves will be paid by the league through its registration fund and donations it has received, Penney said.

Dean Dominix, president of the softball league, told Nunatsiaq News he estimates buying the lights will cost between $10,000 and $13,000.

The league may have to pay up to $20,000 in total, depending on the cost of shipping through cargo, he added.

Qulliq Energy Corp. is donating the light poles, and Canadrill Ltd. offered to install everything at no cost to the league, Penney said.

The league will be able to pay for any other minor expenses that arise, he added.

Work could start as early this month.

Penney cited several factors in explaining why the diamond needs to be lit.

He said the league is made up of 18 teams and more than 440 players, and while the sport’s popularity has been good for Iqaluit’s softball community, it has also presented a challenge.

Late games sometimes have to be cut short if it gets dark, he said, and foggy weather presents a safety concern.

“The installation of lights at the softball field will solve this issue,” Penney said.

“The field is used by other groups as well as softball/slo-pitch, that can make use of the lighted field. Plus, we hope to attract more spectators who are looking for an evening activity.”

The league’s proposal notes the need to work with city staff to ensure installation of the lights complies with city codes.

Several councillors voiced their enthusiasm for the proposal.

Coun. Amber Aglukark, who has played softball for 15 years, said the lights will benefit several organizations that use the field, especially when it gets dark and foggy.

“I found myself in the middle of the ball field in centre field at one point a few years back, crouching because of the fog, not knowing where that ball was going,” she said.

Darren Penney, vice-president of the Iqaluit Slo-Pitch League, earned an enthusiastic response from councillors to his organization’s proposal to light up the city’s ballpark. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)

“I think these lights will be extremely beneficial to the league.”

Mayor Solomon Awa floated the possibility that the lights could be used year-round. And Coun. Harry Flaherty, who chaired Tuesday’s meeting, offered his support as someone who has also used the diamond for several years.

“I’m very happy to hear that there are actually people caring and willing to move ahead with this, and I will ensure that our engineer team will work with you and make sure that this moves forward as soon as possible,” Flaherty said.

Councillors voted to support the league’s proposal.

“Now that we got the city approval, we’re going to reach out to the city engineers to make sure everything is covered and done right, then we’ll move to installing,” Penney told Nunatsiaq News after the meeting.

“Hopefully we’ll have some light games this summer.”