(Updated, Thursday, Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m.) A bit behind the stated schedule, but still a very welcome sight is the installation of the new lighting system at Veterans Field, which concluded this past week.

Warren Parks and Recreation Director Tara Thibaudeau, whose department has oversight of the project, confirmed the erecting of the lights and their connectivity were set to be completed on Thursday, Sept. 24. The work was being done in some rough conditions, gusty winds swooping over the area most of the time.

The National Federation of High Schools/Rhode Island Interscholastic League-sanctioned lights and poles were delivered late in August to the field located in the rear of Kickemuit Middle School off Child Street.

That same month, the town council awarded a contract valued at $331,540 to Techline Sports Lighting based in Austin, Texas to complete the task. The project is being paid for through a the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Outdoor Recreation Grant issued to the town in the amount of $434,100. A 25% match is required for the grant. That money is being raised privately and from in-kind work performed by the town's department of public works.

Warren Parks and Recreation Department Director Tara Thibaudeau had hoped the effort could be completed at the beginning of September, but inclement weather and scheduling conflicts with the vendor delayed the actual installation.

The lighting system is part of a larger project including the positioning of stands on the south end of the playing field. The seating is repurposed from the old Mt. Hope High athletics stadium, which is being remodeled as part of the new school construction project.

The upgraded lights provide residents, school athletes and community sports teams to use Vets Field more often and more safely.

It also affords the MHHS football team, which has been using Vets as its base the last two seasons during the aforementioned construction, to play a nighttime home game this fall. Until last year upon the beginning of new build, the Huskies played just about all of their games on campus in the evening.

Mt. Hope will host East Greenwich for its Homecoming game against East Greenwich, on Friday night, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m.

Bristol Warren Regional School District Athletic Director Christy Belisle said due to the uncertainty around the readiness of the lighting, she was unable to initially schedule any more evening games. She also noted the lack of available officials, they having already been booked for the season, means rescheduling games to a different day and time this far into the year is not possible.