Eastman Raiders ready to light things up

Steinbach city council agreed to forward a funding request from a local football club to their summer study session in July after a presentation from the Eastman Raiders at their May 6 meeting.

Matt Bergen, head of sponsorship for the club, unveiled their floodlight campaign, a plan that would light up their field to allow for later games.

Four 40-foot posts would be placed along the field containing a total of 56 LED lights.

“This will be a significant infrastructure investment and improvement for A.D. Penner Park,” Bergen said.

He stressed that the club, founded in 1996, not only empowers youth aged 4 to 18 to play football, but it also attracts 150 kids annually and is a draw for the community itself.

“During game weekends we see approximately 400 to 500 visitors travel to Steinbach from Winnipeg, the Interlake, Portage la Prairie and beyond, supporting local businesses.”

The plan comes with a total estimated cost of $212,000 which includes materials, light poles, installation and a five percent contingency.

The club is proposing to cover $141,000 of that price tag, asking the city to provide $71,000.

Operating expenses are estimated at $150 to $200 per month and the club says they anticipate using them from mid-September to the end of October.