An upgrade at a South Surrey ballpark has been illuminating, to say the least.
New LED lighting has been installed and activated at all of Softball City's four fields, a $1.16-million upgrade that provides superior illumination for evening softball games, ensuring better visibility and a safer playing environment, the City of Surrey said in a release. Additionally, the LEDs are 40 per cent more energy-efficient, resulting in substantial cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
“(The upgrade) marks a transformative moment for South Surrey’s Softball City," said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke.
"With these state-of-the-art LED lights, we are not just illuminating the fields; we are igniting a passion for sport and solidifying Surrey’s position as a global hub for elite softball competition. As we welcome local leagues and international tournaments alike, we are building a brighter future for our athletes and showcasing our city’s unwavering support for women’s sports and athletic achievement. This $1.16-million upgrade is part of council’s $3.1-million commitment to improving Softball City and further strengthen Surrey’s reputation as the top destination for high-calibre international softball.”
Built in the 1990s, Softball City has increasingly attracted local, national and international tournaments and events. In addition to hosting the annual Canada Cup International Softball Championship, it has also been the competition venue for the 2016 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s World Softball Championship, the 2019 WBSC Women’s Softball Olympic Qualifier, and the 2021 Softball Canada Men’s and Women’s Canada Slo-pitch Championships. Last summer, the venue hosted the 2024 Men’s World Fastpitch Tournament attracting 1,000 players from more than 10 countries.
The new LED fixtures are designed to minimize light pollution by directing most of the light towards the field, rather than upwards and into surrounding areas. To further enhance safety, additional lighting has been installed in pedestrian areas, the release noted.
“This much-needed lighting upgrade at Softball City is a pivotal advancement in our organization’s ability to offer an elite playing environment, which in turn attracts new international level competition and events to Surrey,” said Greg Timm, chair of the Canadian Amateur Sports Society and the Canada Cup.
“This is a major milestone for Softball City and on behalf of our organization, and the thousands of athletes who use the park annually, as well as hundreds of volunteers from across our city who support the international competitions we host, I want to thank the mayor and council for their incredible contribution to supporting our athletes, and particularly women’s sports, by providing the best possible environment for success on and off the field.”
