SOUTHWICK – There was a site walk that occurred at Whalley Park on Wednesday afternoon involving the lighting project in the park.
Kevin Sacco Electric, Collins Electric, Amp Electrical Inc., JL Construction Corp, Mountain View Landscape, and Elm Electrical Inc. were the contractors that showed up and were interested in bidding for the project.
John Goddard of R. Levesque Associates, was present to guide contractors through the bidding process. Mike Mahoney of Musco Lighting was also at the site visit to help give details and insight on foundation, installation, and controls.
“It makes everybody aware of what’s going on,” said Karl Stinehart, the Chief Procurement Officer for the Town of Southwick. “They can make an informed estimate.”
Goddard described to the contractors that there will be new lights being installed at various parts of Whalley Park.
John Goddard of R. Levesque Associates, describes part of the bidding process to contractors interested in the project. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick
As the street lights throughout the park only reach a certain point of the park, there will be more street lights installed to better light up the park at night.
Since the soccer field already had lights put in, both the softball and baseball fields will have lights all around the field.
“I think the goal is to offer more of these night time leagues to play here,” said Goddard.
John Whalley, who donated the park back in 2009, noted that 3 in. pipes are already in the ground. It is just the poles and the wiring that will need to be connected.
“It will be a very minimal amount of touch up work after it is done,” said Whalley.
Besides the athletic fields, the pavilion will also get lighted along with the nearby play scape.
It is important for all aspects of the park to have an upgrade to lights.
“This time of year, it is dark at 6:30 p.m.,” said Whalley. “It makes it much more useful.”
The money towards the project for the lights was allotted by the Conservation Preservation Committee for $500,000.
All contractors that were present at the site visit will now focus on designing engineering drawings and after that, eventually come up with an estimate of the project. The bidding process will open on Oct. 19.
