FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS AT LA SALLE
Pasadena City Council votes to allow lights at La Salle - with restrictions.
It's about time!
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By Kenneth Todd Ruiz Staff Writer
Pasadena Star-News
Article Launched:10/16/2006 11:22:33 PM PDT
PASADENA - Illumination is in the future for La Salle's Lancer athletes looking to play and practice after the sun has set.
Just not on Saturdays or Sundays; nor more than three times weekly. And not more than 52 times per year.
Clearing the way for the Catholic high school to install 80-foot stadium light poles, the Pasadena City Council on Monday attached a host of conditions to limit the impact of the lights on the neighboring community.
"While certain conditions we consider overly stringent ... we are committed to living within the conditions," said Richard Gray, school president.
Some community members and the Lower Hastings Ranch Neighborhood Association opposed the lighting project, seeing it as the latest step in the "piecemeal" construction of a large stadium in their back yards.
"The school has been able to construct a football stadium, piece by piece," said area resident Diane Kirby.
Two years ago, the school won approval to erect an electronic scoreboard at the 3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. campus, then came back later to get permission for a bleacher addition.
Robert Silverstein, a lawyer for the neighborhood association, said the school should submit a master plan of the phased improvements it has planned during the next 10 to 15 years.
"It is a very sizable building project that should not be allowed to be submitted in piecemeal fashion," he said.
Gray said the school saw no reason to put such a plan together presently, but would develop one if the city made it a requirement.
To address concerns about light pollution, the lights will be tested to make sure they do not exceed a specified level of brightness.
Councilman Steve Haderlein, an economics teacher at La Salle, recused himself from discussing the matter.
La Salle's home games have been played during daylight hours, but high school football games are, by custom, played on Friday nights.
"It's hard to get excited about any of the games on a Saturday afternoon," said La Salle parent Jackie Don.
todd.ruiz@sgvn.com
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
This is a great Blog!
November 9, 2006:
The lights are up and the character of the surrounding neighborhood has been irrevocably changed from residential to industrial. These lights are destructive and it's a loss to the whole community.
thank you tech boi, i dont even know why this is a important topic because it really isnt
stop bitchin about how extreme the weather is guna be on whatever day. u come prepared to play... PERIOD!
Hey Anonymous...
PICK A NAME! will ya.
Jinxes are what you make them. Just another obstacle that teams and individuals use to impede there progress. It's a psychological tool that individuals use as a crutch in life.
Yea even when playoff games come those saturday games are at night not in the middle of the day when its hotter and la salles field is even more hot. All Playoff games are at 7 or 730 PM.
Jinxes are what you make them. Just another obstacle that teams and individuals use to impede there progress. It's a psychological tool that individuals use as a crutch in life.
This Monrovia faithful does not beleive in Saturday jinxes, although I do prefer keeping a routine. Teams had better be ready to play on Saturday once the CIF semi-finals are here. Typically one game is Friday and the other Saturday. I think this gives a huge advantage to the winner of the Friday game and should be changed.
We have already discussed this saturday jinx and it has been proven false. Eagle Rock and Huntington Park have never been jinxed at La Salle, so all of the RHL teams stop complaining and just admit that you lost if you did to La Salle.
The Monrovia faithful are happy about this news... The Cats must travel to La Salle next season, but perhaps that game will now be at night. That Saturday jinx has hit several schools...
Even though I'm a Saint Francis grad, I'm very happy to see the prospect of Friday Night Football Games at La Salle is close to being a reality.
A lot of high school football a long the east coast is played in the afternoons, usually Saturday. It's not the same as the Friday Night Magic. I hope La Salle gets its lights.