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Mount Greylock Making Lighting Improvements on Campus

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The new field and track is not the only upgrade to Mount Greylock's outdoor athletic facilities this fall.
 
In addition to the new multisport grass field ringed by an eight-lane running track, the school is slated next month to have the lights at its current varsity soccer/lacrosse field retrofitted with new LED fixtures.
 
Interim Superintendent Joseph Bergeron said Thursday that the new lights will be mounted on the existing poles around John T. Allen Field.
 
Bergeron said the replacement project will be funded, "through a National Grid program where 50 percent of the cost is a grant and 50 percent comes over years through on-bill rebates/payments related to the cost savings associated versus the old bulbs."
 
After a payback period of about six years, the district will reap the full financial benefit of lower energy purchases associated with the LED bulbs, he said.
 
"The LEDs will save energy and provide more focused and better light with less light pollution," Bergeron said.
 
As for the new field, installers were on-site on Wednesday testing the output to make sure the fixtures are positioned properly to provide full coverage of the field.
 
The track is fully installed and ready to host meets this spring.
 
The sod on the infield is laid — and the unseasonably mild October weather can only help the grass take root. Several school personnel have said that they hope the field might be ready to host at least two lacrosse games — one boys and one girls — in the late spring of 2025.
 
Otherwise, the projected start date for the field is September 2025, in time for the next soccer season.

Tags: MGRS,   playing fields,   

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Williams College Gets $105M in Bonding for WCMA, Capital Projects

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College has received more than $105 million bonding toward construction of the new art museum and other campus capital projects. 
 
The college announced on Monday that MassDevelopment has issued a $105,820,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of the president and Trustees of Williams College. 
 
The organization will use bond proceeds to finance several projects on the college's campus, including (1) building and equipping a new art museum and multipurpose recreation center, (2) implementing the college's energy and carbon master plan, (3) renovating and equipping dormitories and dining facilities, (4) reimbursing the college for costs incurred to build and equip the Davis Center, and (5) completing other miscellaneous capital projects. The bonds were sold through a public offering with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC serving as lead underwriter and B of A Securities, Inc. and Samuel A. Ramirez & Co., Inc. serving as co-managers.
 
The new Williams College Museum of Art off Field Park is expected to cost $175 million with the college planning to raise $100 million through donations; another $25 million toward the project was gifted in April 2024 by an anonymous donor.
 
"From our new art museum and multipurpose recreation building, to commencing campus decarbonization efforts, the new bond issue will fund work that supports our educational mission, fuels employment and benefits the culture, economy and people of western Massachusetts," college President Maud S. Mandel said. "MassDevelopment's program is helping us manage costs while investing in academic excellence, so that Williams can remain affordable to talented students from all backgrounds."
 
The Davis Center will include new construction between Jeness House and Rice House off Walden Street; the new build will be located where Hardy House was, behind the Purple Pub. It replaces the Multicultural Center and will provide a home to more than 20 student affinity groups along with academic support programs.
 
"The college is an important part of the town and a valuable asset for our community," said Town Manager Robert Menicocci. "We are pleased to see the college's continued investment in these past and future projects which will benefit both the college and the community as a whole."
 
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