Politics & Government

New Temporary Lighting Gives Upper Moreland Soccer Club a Chance to Play After Dark

The new temporary lighting at Pileggi Park will allow the club's young soccer players a chance to get home much earlier.

The township commissioners gave permission to the for the use of temporary lighting at Pileggi Park.

The park is the club’s only lighted practice field for its fall soccer teams.

John Moran, vice president of the UMSC informed the Sept. 26 Parks and Recreation Committee that the club’s current team practice schedule at Pillegi presents several issues for the club.

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“With the schedule currently, children at the age of 12, participating in a practice session that ends at 9 p.m.,” Moran informed the committee, saying that this schedule might negatively affect the player’s academic performances. “[That is] fairly unacceptable for kids that young to be out as late as that.”

He said that a number of teams currently practice on the lighted backfield of Pileggi Park; the only lighted, natural grass practice field the UMSC uses.

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In addition to scheduling conflicts, Moran also warned that overuse of the backfield at Pileggi will ultimately lead to costly repairs, whose restoration would be the responsibility of the club.

Moran suggested the use of two temporary, protable light systems in order to illuminate the front field of Pileggi Park.

In a letter to the board of commissioners, further explaining the UMSC proposal, Moran said that each portable light system would be at the sole expense and maintenence of the club.

The system would be turned off by 8 p.m., and used four nights a week: Monday to Thursday.

The light system units will be in place from October through the second week in Novemeber, when they will be removed from the park property.

In terms of the lighting itself, Moran said that the units will produce enough light for practice, but not for playing matches. The lights will be positioned in a way that will be least impactful to the neighboring residents of the park.

The letter was distributed to the neighboring residents of Pileggi Park, prior to the board’s decision.

“That will give us an extra four time slots on the front field, and reduce excess playing time in the backfield,” Moran said.

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More from the reporter’s notebook:

  • Ward 6 resident Bill Oetinger was reappointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council for another two-year term, to expire, Aug. 4 2013.
  • The township approved of Resolution R-2011-29,  which provides from real estate taxes paid to Upper Moreland Township, on the condiion of a future court action.
  • A public hearing date of Oct. 17, at 7 p.m., regarding request for a liquor license transfer, has been announced.


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