Village Set For State-Of-The-Art Floodlights

[Written by Stephen Wright]

State-of-the-art floodlights will be installed at the home of North Village thanks to a Fifa grant secured through the Bermuda Football Association [BFA].

Work gets underway on the project in April and will involve four columns – complete with cost-effective LED lighting – fitted at Bernard Park before the start of next season when the club will host the first night match in their 65-year history.

Shervin Dill, the president of Village, who have called Bernard Park home since 1998, said the new floodlights form part of a long-held vision to improve the club’s infrastructure, with plans in the works to revamp the clubhouse, including changing facilities, showers and a viewing deck for spectators.

Part of the lighting structure being delivered earlier this month

“It’s always been our dream to develop the property as soon as finances become available,” Dill told Bernews. “The club have been talking about having these floodlights fitted for more than two years. There have been delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but finally, we’re at the stage where we can start construction.

“I cannot wait to cut the ribbon to open the facility for our first night match. It will be a historic occasion. It’s a major step for North Village and part of a dream to upgrade the facility. Again, it’s about getting the finances to fulfil our visions.”

Dill said Village plan to use the extra revenue generated by hosting floodlit matches to improve their junior and senior programmes and believes having another floodlit venue will also help alleviate the island’s referee shortage by offering the BFA greater latitude when scheduling fixtures.

“For many years, we’ve used Goose Gosling Field and Devonshire Rec. as our alternative night field, which has come at an enormous [financial] cost to us,” he added.

“We’re now looking forward to our sister clubs using Bernard Park as an alternative night facility for their games.

“This is all part of Fifa’s plan to improve the clubs in Bermuda by assisting them with developing their facilities.

“PHC Zebras have previously received a grant and have floodlights now working, while Somerset Trojans and Devonshire Cougars have had help in getting their floodlights back up and working.

“Having multiple locations capable of hosting night games will help the BFA schedule games throughout the week and not just on weekends.”

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