Electrifying Homeruns: Willmar Parks and Rec strikes out gas-powered generators

March 2025

Story by Joel Haskard and Emily Haeg Nguyen

When the City of Willmar originally built the ball field, the future electrical plan when we’re figured in. This saved the city time and money.

City of Willmar Parks and Recreation used a Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Seed Grant for a scoreboard lighting upgrade!

The project removed gas-powered equipment from the local civic center’s sports field. This helped with eliminating pollution fumes and noise, and reduced energy costs. Curt Hein, project manager at the City of Willmar, fills in some details.

“Our project involved installing electrical power to four new scoreboards and adding outlets to each dugout and batting cage area,” says Hein. “The main goal was to eliminate the use of gas-powered generators and equipment for practices and programming.”

Powering up cleaner air

The new scoreboards are powered up and ready to go. The project is a score for the high school softball programs, youth baseball/softball programs, and other Willmar youth teams. The project allows them to use pitching machines and other electrical devices such as iPads for line ups, drill instruction, video, and charging devices, instead of using gas-powered generators. But the biggest change of all is the four new, electric-powered scoreboards installed last summer.

When asked what advice he might have for others, Hein notes, “The project was pretty straightforward. It was also beneficial that we established the future electrical plan when we constructed the fields. We didn't need to trench in the electrical lines. Conduit was already in place. Plan ahead!

“All of our utilities are tied together with the main building. The gasoline combustion was eliminated with the installation of the electrical power. We sent this information out to all the teams of the facility that this project was happening. We wanted to educate them and share that they wouldn't need to bring generators to practice any longer.”

This enhances the atmosphere for games and practices for our programs.

– Curt Hein, Project Manager at the City of Willmar

Pitching lighting retrofits

Looking towards the future, Hein notes that the city may be replacing several outdated lights at other locations, such as other ball fields, inside the ice arenas, and area pickleball courts. Also, Willmar is looking at adding scoreboards and outlets to other fields.

“We are grateful to be part of the process of helping reduce noise, removing gas-powered equipment from our fields, and providing power to the new scoreboards,” says Hein. “This enhances the atmosphere for games and practices for our programs. The CERTs Seed Grant process was easy to navigate, and the staff was great to work with.”

Willmar is rounding the bases for a bright future and cleaner air. Play ball!

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Willmar Civic Center - Baseball/Softball Scoreboard Project

Clean Energy Focus: Beneficial Electrification: Lighting System Upgrade

West Central CERTs Grant: $3,500

Electrification: 33 gallons/gasoline saved

People Reached and Involved: 4,523 youth and adults

Explore CERTs Seed Grants

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