A crane operator lifts a light pole while a ground crew assists getting it in position with the help of a lazer. The operation was taking place at the Groover Road soccer fields in Hartselle Thursday. The lighting of the fields has been two years in the making. The work is being done by Parks & Recreation employees with the assistance of Hartselle Utilities Electric Department. | Clif Knight

Hartselle’s new soccer fields on Groover Road are getting lights thanks to a finance plan reached earlier between the city and Tennessee Valley Authority.

The setting of the metal poles and installation of new design lights began early last week and is expected to take about a month to complete, according to Byron Faulkner, assistant director of Hartselle Parks & Recreation.

“We’re lighting all seven playing fields,” Faulkner said, “with the assistance of a crane contractor and Hartselle Utilities linemen. The fields have been used for two years without lights and the teams haven’t had enough time to get their games in late in the season. This will solve that problem.”

The project is estimated to cost $443,000 with the city putting the money up front from the general fund in anticipation of being reimbursed by TVA to the tune of $93,000 annually over five years.

The project’s funding was made possible by a legislative act sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and State Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle.

“This has been an ongoing project awaiting the availability of funds,” said Hartselle Mayor Don Hall. “We were fortunate to get the help of Sen. Orr and Rep. Henry to make it happen.

“Soccer has grown over the years as more and more children and their parents have gotten involved,” he added. “This will help bring even more strength to the program and open opportunities for attracting more people to our community.”