These Hartselle Youth Soccer players played their first game under the lights at the Groover Road Soccer Complex on Monday night. City of Hartselle officials flipped the light switches on the new lights in a ceremony before the sun went down. | Brent Maze

Hartselle’s youth soccer teams played under lights for the first time Monday night after acknowledgements were made to several individuals who helped secure funding for the lighting project.

Proclamations of appreciation were presented by Mayor Don Hall to State Senator Arthur Orr, R-Decatur; State Representative Ed Henry, R-Hartselle; and State Representative Randall Shedd, R-Fairview.

Others thanked for their support of the youth soccer program were Darrell Harris, head coach of Hartselle High’s boy’s soccer team; Bob Sittason and Jonathan Hampton, Hartselle Utilities; Frank Miller and Byron Faulkner, Hartselle Parks & Recreation Department; and city council members.

“The lighting of the fields was a community effort,” said Miller, director of Parks & Recreation, “and Byron Faulkner, assistant director, deserved a lot of credit because he stayed with the project from start to finish.

Soccer coach Darrell Harris give a thumps up as he flips a switch to turn on one of eight banks of lights at Hartselle’s soccer fields on Groover Road. | Clif Knight

“We have about 450 kids participating in the youth soccer program,” he added. “and having lighted fields is something they’re going to enjoy for many years to come.”

A large crowd of players, coaches and parents watched as those who were recognized on the program flipped switches to activate the light towers. Their action was met with applause as the lights began to shine.

Three members of Morgan County’s legislative delegation were presented proclamations of appreciation by Hartselle Mayor Don Hall Monday night for their help in getting funding for the lighting of the city’s new soccer fields. Pictured, from left, are Mayor Hall, State Rep. Ed Henry, State Sen. Arthur Orr and State Rep. Randall Shedd. | Clif Knight