Community Organizations
Darien Lights Brigade Stadium Lights 910-26-16

Goal of $750K Raised for Permanent Stadium Lights at Darien High School

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Permanent stadium lights are coming to Darien High School, starting in June, now that the fundraising goal of $750,000 has been met, in the Darien Athletic Foundation announced. Here’s the news release:

The Darien Athletic Foundation announced today that The Darien Foundation led a group of philanthropists to enable the Darien Lights Brigade capital campaign to reach its goal of raising $750,000 by May 1. Achieving the funding goal paves the way for installation of the state of the art LED stadium lights to begin next month. “The dream of a generation of Darien’s youth will be realized this coming fall sports season.” said Peter Graham, President of the Darien Athletic Foundation. “The Darien Foundation had the vision to become DAF’s lead donor in 2013 when DAF was only six months old,” Graham said. “Now, The Darien Foundation’s generosity is enabling the long-awaited Darien High School Stadium lights to become a reality.”

Pam Dysenchuk, executive director of The Darien Foundation said, “The Darien Foundation commends the tireless fundraising efforts of the Darien Lights Brigade and we are delighted to provide this $25,000 grant which got them to their $750,000 goal by the May 1 deadline.”

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Darien High School entrance

Compromise Proposal on Sports Lights Released by Selectman Richards & Neighbors of DHS

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At Monday night’s Darien Board of Selectmen meeting, Selectman Rob Richards released a letter saying that neighbors of Darien High School were willing to accept permanent lighting for sports, provided use of the lights was closely regulated. Richards said he had been talking with neighbors to see what kind of compromise proposal might be worked out with them, the school district and others supporting more lighting, particularly for night sports games. ____________

— See also: “Superintendent Brenner Recommends Permanent Stadium Lights at DHS” (March 14)

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Here’s the statement Richards, one of two Democrats on the five-member board, read near the end of the meeting, and the text of a proposal signed by 14 neighbors living in eight homes near the high school:
Richards’ statement
Dear BoS, BoE, P&Z, community leaders, and the people of Darien,

Last November I suggested the Board of Selectmen take a leadership roll in regard to DHS Lights.  The suggestion was welcome by a group of neighbors who have opposed the lights. They invited me to discuss the issue with them back in January.  For the past several months the neighbors and I have been working on a solution. My plan was to present a solution with the neighbors blessing before the Board of Selectmen.