Missouri State announces plans for lights at Plaster Sports Complex
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State University has developed a comprehensive plan to address lighting of Plaster Sports Complex, the University’s multi-purpose facility. The plan includes changing the start time of athletics events, using temporary lights for practices, and moving forward to install new permanent lights as soon as possible.
The plan was necessitated when one of the four light poles at the facility, located at the northwest corner, fell unexpectedly on July 14. No one was injured. Following a review by a structural engineering firm, the University decided to remove the remaining three poles as a safety precaution.
“One way or another, we are hopeful that we can have sufficient lights at the facility in time for the Ozarko Band Festival on Saturday, October 17,” said Ken McClure, Vice President for Administrative and Information Services. “In the meantime, we will move some start times from evening to afternoon, and find a way to provide enough lighting for evening practices, as well as intramurals and other student events in the facility.”
Here is a summary of the progress and plans:
Schedule Changes
Plaster Sports Complex is the home facility for Missouri State’s football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, field hockey, and track and field teams. The fall contests for these sports have been moved to the afternoon. All opponents have been contacted and have agreed to the new start times. The revised schedules for all sports are attached. Most notable is that the football games on September 12 and 19 will start at 3 p.m.
Temporary Lights
University officials are looking at a number of options for temporary lighting to allow for evening practices for athletic teams and for evening student activities, such as intramurals, band practices, etc. One of the options, for example, is to use some part of the light standards from the three poles that were removed. A specific plan will be known within a couple of weeks, McClure said, but “some sort of temporary lighting will be provided.” There are no cost estimates yet for providing the temporary lights.
New Permanent Lights
The University is beginning the process to develop bid documents to replace the lighting system so that it is a more modern and energy-efficient system. The new lights will supplement the light fixture attached to the Plaster Field press box, which is secure and will remain in operation. The new lights will be installed as soon as possible.
Old Light Fixtures
In addition to possibly using the old light fixtures for temporary lights, they may be used permanently to light other practice and intramural fields on campus, McClure said. The light fixtures can be used in a variety of configurations, so their use can be tailored to the need.
Athletic Events Rescheduled
Start times for several fall contests have been changed, but all events will remain in Plaster Sports Complex. The times for other fall dates will be determined in the near future. (For all current news, schedules and updates, visit
http://www.MissouriStateBears.com)
Game Date Original Time New Time
Football
Tennessee-Martin Sat., Sept. 12 6:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
Murray State Sat., Sept. 19 6:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
