Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/190797
LET THERE BE NEW LIGHTS The Baltimore Orioles face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the last Fall Instructional League game for the year at Ed Smith Stadium, held on Oct. 8. Photo by Norman Schimmel THE COUNTY COMMISSION WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON OCT. 23 REGARDING FUNDING FOR A NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM NEEDED AT ED SMITH STADIUM By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor To make certain Ed Smith Stadium will be ready for the start of Major League Baseball Spring Training on March 1, new lights must be installed at the facility, Sarasota County's sports development and athletics manager told the County Commission this week. A public hearing on the funding plan has been scheduled for the board's Oct. 23 session, Pat Calhoon told the commission during its regular meeting in Venice on Oct. 8. After the hearing, the board will be asked to approve a budget amendment for the expense. According to an Oct. 3 memo to County Administrator Randall Reid from Carolyn Brown, the county's director of parks and recreation, and Calhoon, the cost I have dealt with system failures of the project will be $1,128,284. With over there myself … the addition of a Pat Calhoon 10-percent continManager Sports Development and Athletics gency fee, the total is Sarasota County $1,241,112.