Turlock looks to upgrade Pedretti Park lights. Failing lights put revenue at risk
Turlock may upgrade Pedretti Park lights as soon as October, eight years after a company determined the ball field lighting does not meet standards for high-profile tournament play.
Failing lights delayed games in fall 2021, and city staff are concerned the city will lose opportunities to raise revenue by hosting tournaments, said Allison Van Guilder, director of Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities.
Turlock is not aware of missed opportunities, but tournament organizers could pass over Pedretti for other facilities with newer lighting, Van Guilder said in an email. The park’s metal halide floodlights have not been upgraded since crews installed them in 1981, Parks Supervisor Mark Crivelli said during the last City Council meeting.
The park is a primary source of Turlock’s transient occupancy tax from hotels, Van Guilder said previously. While Van Guilder could not provide an estimate of how much revenue the park generates every year, she said upgraded LED lights could draw higher-profile tournaments.
“We know that tournaments in general draw participants and spectators from outside of the area for consecutive days and we coordinate with our tournament directors to direct them to our local hotels,” Van Guilder said in an email. “We are also in communication with our local hoteliers, who indicate our sports tournaments are a significant driver to weekend stays. Out-of-town guests attending or participating in tournament activities at Pedretti also create increased patronage of local restaurants, retail establishments and services.”
City staff are working with a consultant to prepare plans for lighting improvements, per council direction on Feb. 22. Staff estimate they will receive bids by June, can award a contract in August and start construction in October, according to a staff report.
The city has saved $489,000 for the lighting improvements and accepted $150,000 from the Turlock Irrigation District for the project. The total project estimate is $850,000, and the council on Feb. 22 approved spending $25,000 for preliminary design.
New Turlock lights to improve efficiency
By adding energy savings, reduced maintenance needs and staff time, Crivelli projected LED lights will save Turlock about $220,000 over a 10-year period. The city currently spends about $3,500 and $3,200 per year to replace Pedretti’s light bulbs and rent boom lifts, respectively, he said.
New lights also will reduce light spillage, per the staff report, making driving safer on nearby roads and Highway 99. After installing LED lights, the city does not intend to extend the park’s operating hours past 11 p.m., Crivelli said.
For players, enhanced visibility from LED lights can create safer playing conditions, Van Guilder said. Last fall, failed lighting on fields one and three delayed tournament and league play, she added. The issues required games to move to other fields at the park.
The city learned in 2014 that Pedretti Park’s lighting does not meet standards for high-profile tournament play, Van Guilder said. Turlock has lacked funding for the project, staff said, so it has been on hold until now.
This story was originally published March 3, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
