Te Huia Pompey and the Fairfield community have grown up around a Park that has been unable to be used after 6pm during late autumn, winter and early spring.
But last Wednesday Te Huia of Ngati Wairere ushered in a new, brighter and action-packed era on Fairfield Park by leading the switching on ceremony for the three brand new 15m floodlight towers.
Lighting for evening training and recreation has long been a dream of sports organisers and clubs that call Fairfield Park "home", including Hamilton City Tigers Junior Rugby League, touch rugby, softball, T-ball, cricket and, more recently, American football and soccer. But it is up to local communities to plan such projects and raise the money.
Three years ago Te Whare o te Ata Community House, with support from local schools, community police, local sports clubs and whanau prepared the plans. In 2010 Hamilton City Council approved the resource consent application and granted $40,000 towards the cost.
Since then WEL Energy Trust, NZ Community Trust, Grassroots Trust, Trust Waikato and the Southern Trust have all contributed to the $103,000 project.