IBEW Local 48 and NECA light up football fields at Portland high schools

Electricians from Electrical Workers Local 48 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) were honored Nov. 9 by representatives from Roosevelt High School for donating their time and resources to help install outdoor lighting for the Portland school’s football field.

The donation was part of the Field Lighting Project headed by Portland City Commissioner Jim Francesconi. For years, several schools in Portland used Civic Stadium (PGE Park) to play evening football games. When Portland Family Entertainment (PFE) purchased the stadium and began renovations, high school football was forced out.

As a result, Francesconi established a fund, with money coming from PFE, to light the football fields of several schools affected by the transition. PFE, however, went bankrupt leaving the commissioner with the monumental task of finding organizations willing to donate funding and services.

NECA-IBEW were among several groups to step up to the plate to make this project a reality. The City of Portland, Portland General Electric,Campbell Crane, Oregon Electric Group and others were instrumental in helping out.

“There were many organizations that were involved in this project and we are grateful to all of them, especially the electricians from NECA-IBEW,” said Andrew Kelly, principal of Roosevelt High School.

During the Nov. 9 homecoming game against Cleveland High School, Roosevelt students and teachers enjoyed their first home night game in over 20 years. Previously, games were played only during the afternoon, making it difficult for friends and parents to watch.

“Night games really provide the community an opportunity to come together and support our kids,” explained Kelly.

In all, four towering lighting structures were installed, two on each side of the field sandwiching in the bleacher sections. NECA-IBEW Local 48 provided project management services, working to secure labor and materials for the project. This included working with Campbell Crane, which provided free services to hoist the lighting poles and firmly place them on their cement bases. Electricians installed the wiring for the poles and security lighting, the electrical panels and the grounding for the power grids.

“We are just really pleased that the project came to fruition and that we could be part of it,” said John Bates, IBEW Local 48 project manager. “Athletics can be wonderful for character- building in young people.”

At half time, in front of a cheering homecoming crowd, NECA and IBEW Local 48 were honored along with other volunteers from the community for helping make the project a reality.

IBEW Local 48 electricians also have helped light the fields of Cleveland and Marshall High Schools in time for their schools’ homecoming games.

© Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc.