What's Happening in Auburn, WA…

Auburn, perhaps following the example of the Chicago Cubs, is going to put lights at its last unlit ball field.

Game Farm Park in Auburn offers three field for play, but only two have lights that enable games to be played at night. All that is about to change, as the city council recently authorized Auburn's mayor, Nancy Backus, to sign agreement between the City of Auburn, and King County. The agreement will bring a grant in the amount of $175,000 to the city to put lights at the field.

City officials say that installing lights at Game Park will make it much easier for many different sports to be played at the location, and at the same time, take pressure off the other facilities in the park. Auburn's Parks, Arts and Recreation director, Daryl Faber, noted the field is use mostly for softball, but it is suitable for soccer and other sports, which are occasionally played there. However, without lights, soccer cannot be played in winter, when it can get dark as early as 4:00 pm.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $387,213, which the city expects to fund from local park impact fees, which will amount to $215,000, and the $175,000 from King County. Officials can use banner printing to create decorations to celebrate the improvement in the venue when it opens.