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Loyola Applies for Athletic Field Lights

On August 17, 2023, Loyola Academy applied to the Village of Wilmette for an amendment to its existing Special Use Permit and for a new Special Use Permit to install permanent outdoor lights on Hoerster Field. To plan the installation, Loyola worked with the industry-leader in athletic lighting services, Musco Sports Lighting, to determine the best lighting solution for the field and Loyola’s neighbors. Loyola’s application calls for four 80’ light poles to be installed adjacent to the bleachers. The desired permanent lights will use the most advanced LED lighting technology available to put more light on our field, and spill less around it. This lighting technology also reduces energy consumption and achieves the highest level of lighting precision possible.
The request for permanent lights is rooted in Loyola’s desire to increase involvement of our students, parents, alumni and friends in the numerous school activities we conduct every year. Permanent lighting will also allow for equitable opportunities for athletic teams to practice and compete on-campus, enhanced practice opportunities for our marching band, and use of the field when diminishing daylight would normally prevent its use.
 
Consistent with the process established when Loyola embarked on its Campus Master Plan, which led to the building of the John D. Norcross '54 Natatorium and the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center, Loyola embarked on an extensive outreach and study process before filing its application with the Village. That process included:
  • Holding two neighborhood "open house" meetings, one on February 8, 2023, and a second on June 14, 2023, which enabled neighbors and residents to hear from Loyola's planning team, review plans, ask questions, and provide feedback about the proposed permanent lights
  • Commissioning a sound study to determine the likely impact on the area of noise generated by a Friday night football game
  • Commissioning a market impact analysis to determine if the installation and use of the permanent lights would adversely impact neighboring property values
  • Commissioning an updated traffic management plan to establish enhanced protocols for Friday night football games
  • Connecting Loyola’s Security Department with the Wilmette Police Department to develop increased security measures for Friday night football game crowds and traffic
Through this process, Loyola gathered important feedback and made several important revisions to its initial plan. These revisions resulted in the significant reduction in the number of nights the lights will be in use. The amended application Loyola has submitted to Wilmette seeks the following uses of the permanent lights during the course of the school year:
  • A total of 60 nights when the lights will be used
  • A maximum of 5 football games under the lights, with a 10:30 p.m. lighted curfew
  • A maximum of 25 non-football games under the lights, with a 9:00 p.m. lighted curfew
  • A maximum of 30 practices, with a 7:00 p.m. lighted curfew
  • Use of the lights only for Loyola Academy athletes and students
View the entire application here.
 
How can you support Loyola's lights application?
  • The Wilmette Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing on the application. This hearing will take place on Wednesday, September 6, at 7:00 p.m. at the Wilmette Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Ave. This meeting is open to the public, and we encourage you to attend and voice your support for Loyola.
  • If you can not attend the Zoning Board hearing and would like to share your support for our application, please email a letter addressed to the "Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals" in care of John Adler, Director of Community Development, at adlerj@wilmette.com and ask that he share it with the Zoning Board and the Village Board.
 
If you have any questions about Loyola's application or the Village of Wilmette zoning process, please contact Advancement Chief of Staff Marty Jennings ’98 at mjennings@loy.org.
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Loyola Academy

1100 Laramie Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091-1089  |  847-256-1100
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