The Bainbridge Island Football (soccer) Club recently made a pitch to the BI Metropolitan Park and Recreation District for lighting at the Turf Fields at Battle Point Park.

The information-only presentation pointed out that population on BI is expected to grow from 25,377 now to 33,611 by 2040.

It mentioned the many groups that already use the fields, making scheduling a challenge. They include youth and adult recreational soccer, TOPSoccer, Walking Adult Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Boys and Girls Lacrosse and flag football.

The club’s solution is to install lights at the fields so they could be used longer, especially from September through March. Lights would be shut off at 9 p.m.

The soccer club pointed out that new technology in lights makes them less of a burden on neighbors. The lights focus where they need to be, not surrounding areas. They are not the old floodlights, but are directional and LED so there is less energy consumption.