Estevan city council is looking at spending six figures on new lights for a local baseball diamond. 

Mel Murray, a long-time volunteer on the Estevan baseball scene, appeared on behalf of Estevan Minor Baseball at council's meeting Monday night asking for funding for new lights at Panteluk Field at Lynn Prime Park. 

Lights at the diamond, which was built in 2007 ahead of hosting the 2008 Western Canada baseball championship, are out of date and would have to be updated before applying to host another Western Canada championship. 

"We didn't know we needed lights until we had that windstorm four or five months ago that caused damage to the lights," Murray said.

Estevan Minor Baseball presented quotes from two quotes from two local companies and proposed the City go with one of Eecol Electric's. The proposal to council stated: "we feel this would provide the better lighting for the field."

Eecol Electric's quotes were $239,900 and $125,000. Choice Electric Electrical Supply's were $186,600 and $102,000.

Mayor Roy Ludwig said it might be an idea to spread the cost out over a couple budgets.

"Amortize this over a couple years instead of one big hit would be helpful, and at the same time would give you the lighting that you need."

Murray said 2023 could be a year they want to host, as the 18U AAA Southeast Twins could have a very strong team that season. Murray said any work would have to be done in the late fall or winter, as the ground would be too soft in the spring for the necessary equipment.

New LED lights would save about 20 per cent on utility costs, which City Parks and Facilities Manager Rod March said wasn't as much as they hoped.

Murray said all lights currently work, but there are six without covers to direct the light down to the diamond. He proposed purchasing eight new lights, so there are spares should something happen in the future. 

March said both the City and Murray are always on the lookout for any grants they can apply to.

Councillor Kirsten Walliser asked about the difference in price between the sport lights presented by Eecol and the less expensive general lights.

"The more expensive bulbs are directional, but they're not in the eyes of the players," responded March. "Each bulb has several different lenses that will shine in specific sights on the field, but they will not shine in players' eyes. That's why it gets more expensive. Each individual bulb has several lenses, whereas the cheaper models are just basically big lenses that point down at a spot. So the illumination all over the field is what makes the difference."

Ludwig said council will "probably have an answer" on the new lights at the next council meeting, October 18.

Correction: The original version of the story stated that Eecol Electric quoted the City $375,000 and Choice Electrical Supply quoted the City $288,600. These were in fact the totals for their respective proposals, as you can find here.