On May 27, municipal leaders, school board representatives and community partners came together at Richmond Regional High School to inaugurate a brand‑new lighting system on the soccer field, marking the culmination of a decade‑long effort to enhance local sports infrastructure.
A Collaboration Years in the Making
The project emerged from a partnership between the Eastern Townships School Board and the municipalities of Cleveland, Richmond and Melbourne. Their combined vision sought to transform the field into a year‑round venue that could host evening practices and matches for the growing number of youth athletes.
Funding the Vision
The $270,000 lighting system was financed through a joint contribution from the municipalities and the school board. The board had previously invested nearly $450,000 in upgrading the surrounding outdoor sports facilities, while the Caisse Desjardins du Val‑Saint‑François donated $44,000 sourced from the Richmond Celtic Soccer Club. An additional $2,000 came from the St. Francis College Foundation, underscoring the broad community support.
Despite facing multiple threats of cancellation over the years, persistent advocacy and steady fundraising kept the initiative alive. The recent inauguration celebrated not only the completion of the lights but also the resilience of the stakeholders who refused to let the project fade.
Benefits and Future Plans
The new illumination allows more than 300 players to schedule evening practices and matches, extending the field’s usability well beyond daylight hours. The Richmond Celtic Soccer Club intends to launch a U19 team next season to take advantage of the longer playing window, and plans are underway to construct a storage facility on school grounds that will offer free access to organized sports for newcomers and lower‑income residents.
Local officials praised the collaborative spirit that made the project possible, noting that the upgraded field represents a lasting investment in the health, education and social cohesion of the region. With the lights now in place, the community looks forward to seeing the next generation of athletes thrive under the glow of shared ambition.