Lights out for soccer at Wilson Ranch

A breakdown in communication seems to be at the root of
confusion over the use of Wilson Ranch, Windsor’s newly-built
soccer and all-purpose facility in the southwest part of town. Town
officials, high school administrators and coaches, Windsor Youth
Soccer League teams and nearby residents have yet to come to an
agreement about the lights in the park.
Wilson Ranch was completed this year as part of an agreement
between subdivision developer Condiotti Enterprises and the Town of
Windsor. Condiotti agreed to donate the land and construct the park
in exchange for the right to build a 75 homes per year in the
subdivision. Field lights were part of the plan for the park, but
when the lights were turned on in late April, it took neighbors by
surprise.
“I’m not sure that people were notified prior to the lights
being burned in,” said Councilmember Lynn Morehouse.
During the burning-in process, the lights are not focused and
they burn brighter than they normally would. They are typically lit
for two or three days as they are focused on the field.
In early May, a few local residents attended a Town Council
meeting to voice their concerns about the lights and the hours that
they would be in use. They were told that the developer was still
working on them and that the issue had not been resolved.
By early summer, the Windsor Youth Soccer League had begun
reserving the park for practices and games. Still, the lights were
not finished and no night games were scheduled.
According to Economic Development and Commun-ity Services
Director Marla Young, a meeting was held on August 5 involving all
user groups. Those at the meeting were informed that the lights
“were not expected to be ready anytime soon,” said Young. One of
the high school soccer coaches attended the meeting.
But as fall WHS sports schedules were finalized and printed, all
boys varsity home games were listed for Wilson Ranch at 7 p.m. The
girls varsity team also made plans to use the lighted field for
their home games. Soccer coaches thought all the paper work was in
order.
The day before the first scheduled home game, Boys Soccer Coach
Alfonso Salinas was informed that the town had not given permission
for use of the lights. Rumors began to fly and resentments were
fueled. “I felt like we got the shaft,” said Salinas.
“We were hoping to have the park and the lights up by the
spring,” said Morehouse, “but as of now, the lights still have not
been accepted by the city.” As for high school soccer games under
the lights, Morehouse said, “We had no idea that they had scheduled
their night games at the park.”
Meanwhile, WHS Prin-cipal Jeff Harding is taking a wait-and-see
approach. “This is a new park and we’re basically in uncharted
territory when it comes to scheduling and reserving use of the
facility,” he said. “We need to develop procedures and practices to
prevent any future problems.” For the time being, WHS has moved all
scheduled home soccer games to the lighted football field on
campus.
There may still be some hope for games at Wilson Ranch this
season, as days grow shorter and the need for lighting increases.
“The developer had focused the lights about two or three weeks ago
and we’re trying to get them ready for (the end of ) daylight
savings,” said Windsor Mayor Steve Scott.
The Town Council has planned a field trip around the park’s
neighborhood to examine the impact of the lights on neighboring
residents. Local residents Dave and Carol Hallman, who live on
Casteletto Drive, across from the park, are taking a wait-and-see
approach. “We’d be willing to give the lights a try and then see
what the impact is,” they said.