Turning On the Lights: Parties Settle Lawsuits Over Parker-Gray Stadium Renovation
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Late last night news broke that all lawsuits regarding the renovation of Parker-Gray Stadium have been resolved. An agreement reached by the City of Alexandria, the School Board, and homeowners allows for the installation of lights at T.C. Williams High School‘s home field. This means that the Titans will be able to play Friday night football in Alexandria.
The agreement, approved by Circuit Court Judge Thomas Horne, will remain in effect until 2060. It puts an end to four lawsuits filed by homeowners in 2018. Because the matter was settled amicably, Horne did not have to make a ruling.
The lights are part of the modernization of Parker-Gray Stadium. When installed, they can be used for a maximum of 50 nights each school year, according to the agreement. But limitations will be placed on usage. A city release states: “When the stadium lights are used for interscholastic contests, the School Board has agreed to turn them off by 9:45 p.m. on weekdays (Monday-Thursday, or up to 30 minutes later in the event of injury, overtime or weather) and 10:15 p.m. on weekends (Friday and Saturdays).”
The use of lights during practices will be limited to in-season teams only. The school will turn off the lights on practice nights by 7:45 p.m.
As part of the stadium renovation, a 10-foot fence will be erected between the playing field and the surrounding area to help reduce the noise heard by homeowners. A sound amplification system will be used for varsity games only and limited to 55 decibels, which is the current ordinance level in Alexandria. Fans will not be allowed to use noisemakers.
The lights will not be used on Sundays or for any event not associated with Alexandria City Public Schools.
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