KINGSTON, Ont. - Soccer teams will now be able to play and practice later into the evening at the SLC-Kingston campus thanks to new field lighting.

"We are very excited about the lights going into our soccer field," said SLC athletics director, Herb Steacy. "This will allow us to service our students better and provide more recreation opportunities for the community."

The College was granted an exception, by City Councilors back in February, to the noise control bylaw to blow whistles until 9 p.m.

City staff praised the College for inviting the neighborhood to two open houses, where no objections were made, making the exception motion a unanimous decision during a council meeting.

The $265,000 project would not have been possible without the help from The Churchill Foundation and the Kingston Women's Soccer Club (KWSC).

"We are excited by this opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the College, to enhance our role and reputation within the community, and to provide a first-rate playing experience for years to come," said KWSC President, Rachel Brace.

"KWSC is especially happy to support the project because of the need for more lit fields to accommodate Kingston's growing soccer community," Brace added.

"The Churchill Foundation Board of Directors would like to add their sincere congratulations on the successful completion of this most worthy Community project," said Murray Halliday from the Churchill Foundation.

"The Foundation aspires to provide support a wide variety of such Community projects and was very pleased to be a part of this particular one. It matched the Foundations mission goals to a tee and the Board is confident that Mr. and Mrs. Churchill would have whole heartedly agreed with the support the Foundation was able to provide."

The College also needs to acknowledge the Student Association for their significant contributions to the project.

A formal unveiling will take place early into the 2015-16 academic year, with representatives from all three donors, and SLC staff and students.

The Vikings varsity soccer season begins Friday, Sept., 12 when SLC hosts the Centennial College Colts at 1 p.m. (women's game) and 3 p.m. (men's game).

Source: St. Lawrence College with files from KWSC and Kingston Region