New lighting fixtures were installed on the Westford Academy Trustees Field to replace prior field lights with brighter and higher quality lighting. Construction was completed on Sept. 3.
Although the lights are ready for upcoming home games, there are still some technical qualities that must be configured in order for the lights to be easily accessible from the press box. The lights were funded by Westfords Community Preservation Committee. The same committee also helped fund the Robinson Tennis Courts renovation.
The town had discussed getting new field lights for a number of years, as the previous lights were 40 years old and not in peak condition. WA sent in an application to the Community Preservation Committee to solidify a plan for the funding of the new lights, and ended up receiving the recreation portion of the Committee’s fund in response to a vote at Westfords town meeting last March.
The new lights have a 25 year warranty with amplified features. The prior lights had regular incandescent bulbs. These new lights have 1200-watt LEDs which will provide brighter and more direct rays in the dark. Light pollution will also be reduced because of the updated fixtures, and the lights will be easier to turn on and manage without a long ramp-up time. Director of Athletics Jeffrey Bunyon and Director of Facilities Jeff Goodwin have been overseeing the development since construction started in July 2025, ensuring the safety of students and visitors.
The old lights were also placed on telephone poles, which had sparked concerns over the safety for the visitors if there were ever harsh winds or other weather factors that could cause a breakage. Alternatively, the new lights are on steel poles with heavy reinforced concrete foundations.
Another difference between the new lights and the old ones are that these new lights will be angled down at the field and will not disturb the neighbors of WA.
“The old lights were angled straight out and covered a large section of Patten Road, [and] the backfield,” Bunyon said. “These new lights go right over the top [of the field] and face down, illuminating the turf and the track facility.”
The goal of these new lights is to prevent shadows from casting onto the field while helping athletes during evening games or practices. Along with better visibility on the field and less disturbance to neighbors, the lights have other community-building effects that the WA Athletics Department is excited to see.
“Friday night games aren’t just football games for us. They’re more of a community event, and the lights we purchased are [a part] of an entertainment package,” WA Football head coach Bruce Rich said. “[The lights are] not necessarily [just] for football games, but for soccer games and field hockey games [as well].”
