AFTER five years of hard work, the Kiama Power AFL Club will finally get to use their new lights in a competition game, when they play rivals Bomaderry Tigers at Bonaira Street Oval on Saturday night.
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The lights project started on paper in 2009, and has been a long struggle for the club.
"Before the installation of these new lights, training night would consist of both firsts and seconds training within the space of 50 metres under a total of four lamps," Kiama Power president Troy Gent said.
"We had to make do with a limited training area, especially in the dark depths of winter."
That won't be a problem for the Power any more, with full-field lighting allowing the squad to do full-field scenarios for the first time.
It couldn't come at a better time either, with first grade on the top of the ladder and reserve grade sitting in the top four.
As if five years of planning wasn't long enough, there were some final issues the club had to face before finally "Powering up" their home fortress.
"We had some intense weather constraints, including three bogged cranes, relocated football games and some significant repair to the ground before we could even utilise the new lights," Gent said.
"With some strong support though, we got through these final issues and realised our dream."
That support came through Kiama MP Gareth Ward, Kiama Council, Kiama Sports Association and AFL NSW/ACT, who all got behind the project.
Kiama Power will host a massive night of football to celebrate the official switching on of the lights on Saturday.
The day's events start at 4.45pm when Power reserves play Bomaderry.
There will be an Auskick under-9s game at 6.45pm and the coin toss will be hosted by Mr Ward, before Kiama Power firsts play Bomaderry at 7pm.
"The Kiama Power AFC invites all fans, family, sponsors and spectators looking for a fantastic night of football to come down to Bonaira Oval on Saturday, May 31, to help celebrate this historic occasion," Gent said.