by: Trevor MacNamera, Alexa Nichols, and Matty Ruhl

As seniors at Westborough High School, this year’s “Under the Lights Week” has increased talk about whether or not lights should become a permanent fixture at WHS. The lights bring the high school community together in ways that aren’t typically seen during other school sports events. Adding lights to the high school permanently would be a great idea and boost school spirit at Westborough High School athletic events.

“Friday Night Lights” has become a very popular event here at WHS biannually. The Booster Club, WASA, Rotary Club, sports organizations, and citizens of Westborough have shown that people in the community are willing to help and donate to make permanent lights at WHS possible. Permanent lights would be an awesome addition to the high school and bring everyone from the community together. “Under the lights” week provides excitement, camaraderie, and school spirit.

WHS senior and field hockey player Olivia Weckwerth says, “Lights’ week is my favorite event at WHS, but it is a shame that it has only happened twice during my time as a student here.”

In a Lobby-O  interview with Principal Callaghan, he spoke about his thoughts on this year’s Under the Lights week. “The performance on the field was exceptional. The fans seemed to enjoyed the nights and excitement, so overall I think it another successful year.” He shared about the town hall vote that occurred back when he was athletic director in 2002.  The question of WHS permanent lights on the turf was voted down by just a few dozen votes.

Recently at Westborough High School, there have been talks about a potential stadium project that is currently in the proposal stages. WHS Athletic Director Ms. DiCarlo sent a letter to the school committee on December 22, 2015 outlining her goals for the project and asking for the school committee’s help in making the project possible. In Ms. DiCarlo’s letter she describes the condition of the current stadium saying, “The life expectancy of a typical turf field and track installation runs from 8-10 years; we are currently on year 12.” This letter was from December 2015 so this current season is actually going to be year 13.

While the turf field and stadium don’t look that old from the bleachers, when playing on it, it’s easy to see the danger and need for a new turf. As an athlete who has played on the WHS turf, I can attest to the fact that the field is showing its old age. Many schools have new turf fields and it’s a noticeable difference in the quality of the turf.  

With this project aiming to take shape over the next few years, there’s a high likelihood of talks resuming to add permanent lights to this new field. Until those talks start, the goal is to finalize the plans and move towards starting the project. The preliminary plans state that construction is currently planned to start in 2017-2018, but the plans could be pushed back until the plans are finalized and funding is available.

Ms. DiCarlo gave her opinion on the new stadium designs saying, “As we develop the plans for the renovations to the turf/track/bleachers, etc. we will be having thoughtful and thorough conversations with many stakeholders about whether lights should be included in the new plan.”

While there may not be lights currently, there is hope for permanent lights in the future of Westborough High School athletics. While it may come after most of the current students have graduated, it has been long due to past and present students and athletes who laid down the foundation for this possible change. The road has been paved for permanent lights and now it’s up to the community of Westborough to take this proposal to the finish line. If I had it my way we’d have lights, but it’s not my way.

It’s your move Westborough. The ball is in your court.

http://westboroughk12.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=26651798

(Ms. Dicarlo’s letter)