Photo courtesy of Verde Design, Inc. candidates for new fixtures, and also to consider how they attach to the poles,” said Todd Dettor of Fast-Dry Courts and Tweener Lighting Systems.“ New mounting brackets may be needed as well.”
However, said Nick Schultz, also from Fast-Dry and Tweener, the restrictions of the site may be a hindrance to the upgrade.
“ Often, it isn’ t possible to install footers for recommended light pole locations due to infrastructure or landscaping surrounding facilities,” said Schultz.“ Also, more and more environmental restrictions are being enforced every year, which are making it increasingly difficult to meet light height and spillage requirements, dark sky ordinances, etc., while also lighting the facility properly.”
CHOOSE LIGHTING VENDORS CAREFULLY The market continues to evolve; however, at the same time, there are forces that threaten its progress. One place this is evident is on the internet, where pop-up ads show inexpensive lighting systems.
“ Facility owners should be cautious of low-cost, whitelabeled LED products commonly found online,” said Davila.
“ These fixtures often use lower-quality components, such as plastic lenses, which can yellow or degrade over time, similar to automotive headlights. This results in reduced output and inconsistent performance. Purpose-built fixtures use durable materials to help ensure long-term reliability.”
Prior to purchasing a lighting system, owners should research the vendors in the marketplace and the options offered and consider the importance of selecting a system that is manufactured, tested and backed by a reputable company.
Keep in mind that inexpensive equipment, such as that purchased online without an onsite sales representative who can make an in-person visit to the facility, also may have limited functionality. This may lead to a need to replace the whole system sooner rather than later.
Additionally, many inexpensive systems are manufactured outside of the country and may not offer the buyer any customer support once the product arrives. The wiser investment is made by purchasing a domestically manufactured sports-specific system that is backed by a reputable company with references from users who can speak about the customer service experience before, during and after installation.
20 SportsField Management | April 2026 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com