Athletics play an important role in Baldwinsville, New York, bringing together students, families, and the greater community. When the Baldwinsville Central School District evaluated updates to its stadium lighting, district leaders were looking for a solution that would modernize the appearance of the field, improve nighttime playing conditions, introduce advanced control and technology capabilities, and allow for expansion as needs evolve.
Lithonia Lighting worked with the district to complete an LED lighting retrofit designed to modernize the stadium environment to align with both current operational priorities and long-term planning considerations.
Improved Visibility and Visual Comfort
The upgraded lighting system is designed to provide consistent illumination across the playing surface while reducing glare and minimizing dark areas. Sharp optical cutoff and precise light distribution help limit unwanted spill light and support improved nighttime-friendly performance, contributing to a clear and comfortable visual environment for players, coaches, officials, and spectators.
“It really makes it a professional experience,” said Chris Campolieta, Director of Athletics, PE, & Health, Baldwinsville Central School District. “We want to make sure that our student athletes and our community get the best.”
The fixtures feature a streamlined profile that delivers a clean, uniform appearance while reducing visual clutter, compared to the previous system. The updated design eliminated the need for external cages previously mounted at the top of the poles, and the M3 solution’s lower fixture weight helped reduce structural loading, allowing the retrofit to integrate effectively with the district’s existing infrastructure.
Simplified Control and Advanced Technology
The lighting system includes centralized control functionality that allows district personnel to manage field lighting from a single device. This capability supports flexible scheduling, remote on/off operation, and adjustment of lighting scenes as needed.
“You’ve got to have these lights on, and being able to adjust the schedule remotely makes it a lot easier for everyone involved,” explained Campolieta, of his observations. “There’s less stress for the coaches and the athletes.”
Integrated RGB lighting effects and scoreboard integration allow lighting cues to align with game-day moments, supporting a more engaging event environment without adding operational complexity.
“When you can see and hear the fans during an event, when you color change the lighting scene or sequence at the time of a goal being scored or a touchdown, it's the coolest thing,” said Dr. Joseph Debarbieri, Superintendent of Schools for the Baldwinsville Central School District.
Installation, Serviceability, and Reliability
The M3 solution was selected in part for its installation and maintenance advantages. The solution supports one-person installation under the recommended installation practices, which can help reduce labor requirements during retrofit projects. Power supplies are more easily accessible, helping to improve long-term serviceability and reducing the need for specialized equipment.
Remote drivers are located approximately 10 feet above ground, allowing many maintenance activities to be performed without boom lifts. The system also incorporates internal redundancy and auxiliary lighting capability during power loss, supporting reliability and enhancing safety.
“For our facility staff, being able to access components without specialized equipment is extremely beneficial,” continued Debarbieri. “And we're excited about the fact that this will be a lot more efficient.”
Efficiency and Future-Ready Capabilities
Compared to traditional HID systems, the LED lighting retrofit is expected to reduce connected load and overall energy consumption. The district also considered the platform’s roadmap capabilities, including potential integration with cameras, monitoring tools, asset management systems, runtime tracking, and NEMA 7-pin compatibility.
“To know that this product is backed by one of the largest lighting companies in North America is certainly a safety feature for us,” said Debarbieri. “The product really is unbelievable. Our community is excited about the use of these fields, and the lighting certainly enhances the work that we had done here.”
Today, the upgraded lighting system supports athletic events and community use across the district. Through improved illumination, flexible control, and a streamlined design, Lithonia Lighting delivered a solution aligned with the district’s operational goals.
