Lighting the Way for Pickleball: at West Meadows

Project spotlight: West Meadows Community Club, Tampa, FL

When West Meadows Community Club added four new pickleball courts, the community was ready to shout “game on.” That is, until the sun went down.

Chet Benson, the club’s field manager, quickly spotted a glaring issue: no lights meant no evening games—and in Florida’s summer heat, that’s a big deal. “We wanted our community to enjoy the courts no matter the time of day, but we didn’t have the right lighting in place,” said Benson.

Determined to find a fix, Benson dove into research, comparing lighting companies across Tampa Bay area. Then it hit him: West Meadows already leased its outdoor parking lot lighting from Tampa Electric.

“I figured, why not reach out to Tampa Electric? They already knew our property and our needs,” he said.

That call connected him with Lee Isham, technical consultant for Tampa Electric’s Bright Choices outdoor lighting program.

“Our goal is to provide lighting solutions that are both efficient and practical for our clients,” said Isham. He visited the club to check out the new courts and offered several sports lighting options, including poles and LED fixtures designed specifically for athletic spaces.

One standout solution? Tampa Electric’s Bright Choices lease option. It comes with no up-front costs, full installation and ongoing maintenance.

“If something goes wrong, just call us, and we’ll send a technician to make any repairs,” Isham said. He also introduced remote control features, giving the club easy access to adjust lighting levels.

The energy-efficient LED fixtures were a great match. With shielding to prevent light spill, the courts now glow with just the right amount of brightness.

“Even at just 25% lighting, the courts are bright enough to play comfortably,” Benson said. “The installation went smoothly and I’m so thankful we reached out to Tampa Electric.”

The new lighting has been a game-changer. Players now enjoy cool evening matches, and the courts have become a vibrant hub for the community.

For more than 125 years, Tampa Electric has illuminated the region with reliable, innovative lighting solutions. Its Bright Choices outdoor lighting program is designed to do more than brighten a space—it helps create secure, welcoming environments for communities, businesses and public spaces.

Equipment Installed at West Meadows:

• Four 70-foot galvanized steel poles
• Eight 800-watt (20,000 lumens) LED sports fixtures with shield visors

“Outdoor lighting should deliver style, safety, service and simplicity,” said Isham. “With Bright Choices, we offer solutions that’re built to last and designed to meet the unique demands of every space.”