Brighter Lights to Be Installed at Fred Kelly

The Orange Unified School District has contracted Hubbell Lighting, Inc. of Anaheim to upgrade the lights at El Modena High School’s Fred Kelly Stadium, considered one of Orange County’s most poorly lighted football fields.

The sports lighting company will replace the 20-year-old light fixtures and bulbs at a cost of about $20,000, according to Jeff Holstien, director of maintenance and operations for the district. The current light standards will remain.

State-of-the-art metal halide bulbs are scheduled to be installed in August, in time for the 1986 season. The bulbs are expected to increase the light level at the stadium from its present 20 foot-candles to about 45 foot-candles.

The district’s four schools-El Modena, Villa Park, Canyon and Orange--play their home games in Fred Kelly Stadium. The recommendation of funds for the new lights will go before the school board this spring, and it is expected to be approved in the tentative 1986-87 budget by July 1.

“I think, for sure, the board will approve (money for the lights),” said H.C. Tanner, assistant superintendent of business for the district. “There should be sufficient funds for that. We think the field needs lights, and that field is a classroom to us. We will improve the lighting and our energy costs will not increase.”

Hubbell Lighting, Inc. also manufactured the lights used at Anaheim Stadium.