Lights on at Frame Park Ball Field, Council Decides

Proponents fighting to replace the dysfunctional lights on the baseball field at Frame Park experienced a home run victory when the Common Council agreed to fund part of the purchase of the new lights.

Waukesha South High School baseball coach Adam McDonald came forward asking the council to fund the project so the baseball players could use the fields at night.

Currently, because the lights are irregular and will frequently shut off during games, the high schools have been using the fields during the afternoons only.

“We are looking for some support for the lights at Frame Park,” McDonald told the Common Council.

The baseball field lighting project costs in total $205,000 and is being funded by $73,000 in park impact fees and $105,000 through a 10-year loan borrowed by the city. The remaining $27,000 is being funded by the Waukesha School District,  Carroll University, Catholic Memorial High School and the Waukesha & Pewaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The baseball field is used as the home field by three Waukesha high schools and Carroll University students also play on the diamond.

The new lights will have maintenance costs paid at 100 percent for 25 years for the eight lighted towers on the baseball diamond. The Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is estimating 50 percent of operational costs will be saved through the use of the lights. The city plans to have the lights installed later this fall or winter and ready to go for the baseball season in spring 2012.

“The lights need to be replaced,” said Alderman Steve Johnson. “The teams can’t guarantee that a night game can be played.”

Alderman Chris Hernandez spoke about his time playing ball on the Frame Park field. He recalled the attempts to raise money for the lights and field improvements when he was playing.

“I will always fight for the baseball diamond at Frame Park,” Hernandez said.

But not all the Common Council members felt purchasing the lights for the baseball diamond was a necessary expenditure. Aldermen Eric Payne, Joe Pieper and John Kalblinger voted against the proposal.

Pieper told the Common Council that he felt the city had better use of its limited funds and that he felt there were better ways to spend the money.

“I do appreciate the work of staff and the community involvement on the project,” Pieper added.