Amid the dead of winter, Lynn Family Stadium has become host to a different sort of light show. It doesn’t kick on before an opening whistle or after a home team goal — and its only audience some nights consists of curious onlookers driving past on the interstate.
Soccer Holdings, LLC, recently invested in a herd of grow light fixtures from SGL — which also supplies technology to European giants such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea — toward maintaining a more consistent pitch this year for Louisville City FC and Racing Louisville FC.
With Lynn Family Stadium’s mix of Bermuda and rye grass used in an array of extreme climate situations, the lights are expected to provide a better surface throughout the season.
“The last two years we have had to re-sod mid-season, and we wanted to add to our toolbox,” said Chris Chartier, assistant general manager for stadium operator ASM Global. “The grow lights help build the root system of the Bermuda grass to help the surface stability in the late fall championship games.”
Bermuda and rye grow opposite of one another. The former thrives in the summer, while the latter sprouts in the winter. Their blend is what allows a field in Louisville, Ky., to stay green all year — now thanks to some extra help.
Grow lights are a must for just about any soccer stadium with a roof that blocks regular sunlight to the pitch. At Lynn Family Stadium, the trouble spot can be found in the Estopinal End’s west corner.
Additionally, the lights should help during the pitch’s transitional times such as the fall, when LouCity has traditionally played deep into the postseason.
“The goal is to extend the Bermuda as long as possible,” Chartier said. “Soccer prefers Bermuda grass, which is more stable and stronger. The Bermuda goes dormant, and the rye helps stabilize the dormant Bermuda to play games late into the fall. The lights also help transition back in the spring and early summer.”
Domestically, SGL’s lights can be found in Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball and National Football League stadiums. That includes Minnesota United FC’s Allianz Field, which last week hosted the U.S. Men’s National Team for a World Cup qualifier in frigid temperatures.
Luckily, in Louisville teams won’t be expected in action during the year’s coldest months. Both LouCity and Racing will be back in action in March, when benefits of newly arrived equipment should begin showing themselves.
