Delight as sports field gets two new floodlights (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Delight as sports field gets two new floodlights

Wootton Bassett councillors have invested in the town's sporting facilities after agreeing to buy two new sets of floodlights at the Ballards Ash sports ground in Wootton Bassett.

The two portable sets, with a total of eight lights, will replace a single smaller set currently hired out by the town council which has been used during the winter.

The new lights, which will cost around £17,500, will provide greater flexibility and allow more sports teams to use the facilities for training during the shorter daylight winter hours.

Head groundsman at the sports ground Andy Clinch said: "I'm very pleased.

"I was hoping for maybe one new set of lights but to get two sets is excellent.

"It will make a big difference as to how many people can use the pitches for training. They're also a better quality than the old set."

The town council has been hiring a portable set of lights for the last two years but demand for floodlit training grids has been on the increase.

There had also been concerns from Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club that the previous lights had been too low and therefore dazzled players as they trained.

"The new sets are much higher and are fitted with 1,000 watt bulbs so will be a big improvement.

"Previously we've had times when we've had to move things around to allow everyone to use the lights but that shouldn't be a problem now," said Mr Clinch.

The purchase of the new lights was recommended by town clerk Jonathan Bourne who described the move as an income generator due to the high cost of hiring the lights currently used.

Mr Bourne also emphasised the flexible nature of the new lights.

He said: "The fact that they're portable will allow them to be used for other events as well, such as the Christmas Lights evening."

The council now hopes to buy the two new sets and have them in place and ready to be used before the start of September.