Let there be light: Reid Oval hits major milestone

Staff adjusted the lights on the 30-metre towers and mapped out a grid during the day, before the oval was lit up at night and a light meter gathered data from all areas of the playing surface.

Reid Oval project control group chair Cr Debbie Arnott said that the ability to host night matches was one of the key pillars of the $11 million upgrade.

"At the beginning of the project, a minimum lighting standard of 200 lux was established to allow for night football matches, but with the lighting infrastructure we have been able to install, 300 lux and night cricket matches became possible," she said.

"The lights are energy efficient LEDs, and they have the potential to be dimmed when 300 lux isn't necessary, further saving on energy costs.

"And because we are using LEDs, and the poles are 30m high, glare will be less of an issue, which is especially important if you're trying to take a catch down at long on.

"Night matches at Reid Oval are something that I think will be really special, and I'm sure the cricket and football communities will fully embrace them.

"There are already plans for a night cricket match in January, so everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of the lighting upgrade very soon.

"The finishing touches are currently being applied to Warrnambool's premier sporting facility and I'm looking forward to the first game as part of under 17s country week on January 3."

A perimetre footpath has also been completed.

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