Vince Genna Stadium Earns DarkSky Certification with Major Lighting Upgrade
Aerial View of the New Lighting System at Vince Genna Stadium
Vince Genna Stadium has officially been designated as a DarkSky Certified Outdoor Sports Lighting facility by DarkSky International. This is a major milestone for our ballpark, representing a significant investment in both the fan experience and our impact on the surrounding neighborhood. With the installation of a brand-new lighting system, we’ve dramatically reduced glare and light pollution while also improving visibility on the field.
Vince Genna Stadium has been a central part of Bend’s baseball tradition for generations. Originally constructed in 1947, the ballpark has hosted amateur, collegiate, and semi-professional baseball for decades and remains a cornerstone of our local sports community. Today, it proudly serves as the home of the Bend Elks Baseball Club and continues to host a wide range of games, tournaments, and community events throughout the year.
One of the things that makes Vince Genna Stadium so special is its location. We’re truly part of the neighborhood—homes sit just beyond the infield and along the edges of the ballpark. Because of that, everything we do has a direct impact on our neighbors, and that’s something we take seriously.
Before this upgrade, our lighting system dated back to the 1970s and was quickly reaching the end of its life. Roughly 10–15% of the fixtures were no longer working, leading to inconsistent lighting across the field. The original wood light poles had also developed severe structural issues, including cracks that stretched several feet long and several inches deep, creating real safety concerns. On top of that, the old system produced heavy glare and significant light spill into nearby homes.
This project allowed us to completely modernize the system. We installed new steel poles and a state-of-the-art LED lighting system designed for both performance and efficiency. The result is a safer, more reliable setup that benefits players, fans, and our neighbors alike.
Earning DarkSky certification required a thoughtful approach to lighting design. The new fixtures are fully shielded and precision-controlled, meaning the light is directed exactly where it’s needed—on the field—and not into the surrounding neighborhood. The system greatly reduces glare and nearly eliminates light trespass, while also meeting strict standards for color temperature and intensity to help preserve Bend’s natural night environment.
We’re proud of what this project represents—not just for our organization, but for the Bend community. Looking ahead, we’ll continue to invest in improvements that enhance the experience at Vince Genna Stadium while being mindful of our impact. This upgrade sets the tone for what’s possible when performance, sustainability, and community all come together.
“Throughout the process of working towards a Dark Sky standard for Bend I hear that cost and lighting will be problematic. What the Bend Elks have shown is that their cost to operate have dropped and the lighting on the field has improved while installing lighting to a Dark Sky standard. Well done to the entire team!”
“The new lights the Bend Elks installed are a fantastic improvement. There’s no more heavy glare from the stadium lights, and the LEDs give the field a really clean, crisp look. We’re excited for the upcoming night games, go Elks!”
Before and After Pictures
