Recently, we’ve used this space to commend the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on their conservative handling of the budgetary process, while still keeping a strong vision for the future of our city.

South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour has done just that by exploring an option to repurpose stadium lights at Vicksburg High School’s Memorial Stadium, as detailed in an article titled “Recreation, Police make their 2020 budget requests” in yesterday’s edition of The Vicksburg Post.

The current Vicksburg High stadium lights, which will be replaced as part of an upgrade project to the Vicksburg Warren School District, are compatible with the field lighting at the Halls Ferry Park and Bazinsky baseball and softball fields. The Halls Ferry Park and Bazinsky baseball and softball fields lights are old, and parts needed for basic maintenance are no longer available.

After VWCD upgrades have been completed, transferring Vicksburg High’s lights to the Halls Ferry Park and Bazinsky baseball and softball fields will allow parks and recreation to obtain parts needed for maintenance. 

Monsour’s suggestion that the city looks into repurposing the lights could save the city $1.01 million that was originally requested by parks and recreation for new LED lighting.

We also commend Vicksburg Warren School District Superintendent Chad Shealy’s initial response to Monsour’s request to explore repurposing the lights. Shealy has already added a provision in bid documents that the selected contractor will return old lights to the school district, and plans to bring the idea to district trustees when the board meets in August. If the transferring the lights is approved, an interlocal agreement between the city and school district would be created outlining the transfer.

We hope the trustees will be open-minded as they consider approving the transfer, allowing the city to save $1.01 million dollars or put it toward other imminent needs, like a new animal shelter.