The Bayshore Field baseball diamond at Centennial Park in Trenton.
Quinte West has voted in favour of an exemption to its purchasing policy in order to speed up the process in getting new lights installed for the upcoming baseball and soccer seasons.
At its meeting Monday, council made the exemption to allow staff to attain three tenders for light fixtures and light poles for the Bayshore baseball diamond and soccer pitches.
As part of its purchasing policy, the city requires three written quotes for purchases between $5,000 and $40,000 – anything over $40,000 requires a formal tender process to be followed. It could take 10 to 12 weeks to have the lights installed, likely August. By approving the exemption, delivery would be mid-June.
During a wrap up of budget talks in March, council approved the purchase of $225,000 for baseball lights and $200,000 for soccer lights.
At the time of the announcement Quinte West Amateur Baseball Association president Chris Lisle was excited and relieved as he and fellow members of the association have been vocal about the need for lighting for safety and scheduling reasons.
He said the first game will be at the first of May and the team Quinte Royals are going to be thrilled to have lights this season.
