Ashitaka Wide Park multipurpose stadium to be refurbished lighting

Soccer J-League 3rd Division (J3) Azul Claro Numazu has decided to refurbish the lighting at its home Ashitaka Wide Park multipurpose stadium (Ashitaka, Numazu City) next year. I found that the current nighttime lighting does not meet the illuminance standard of the J-League stadium, and the J3 license may not be issued from the 2023 season, so measures need to be taken. As the only J-League team in the eastern part of the county, the club will raise funds and maintain its license.

J.League stadium standards require lighting to have 1500 lux or more, but stadiums are below the 500 lux standard. According to people familiar with the matter, the renovation will utilize two light towers and roof-mounted lights, replacing all the bulbs with LEDs. Repair time is undetermined.

As the stadium is a prefectural facility, the club and Numazu City continue to coordinate with the prefecture for renovations. Under the City Parks Act, the construction will be carried out primarily by the club with county permission. It is said that a contractor will be found soon. The construction cost is expected to be around 200 million yen, and the club is adjusting its financing methods.

Considering refurbishment of a stadium to obtain a J2 permit has always been difficult. Expansion of auditoriums ▽ Installation of large-scale video equipment ▽ Lighting maintenance ▽ Maintenance of various rooms such as doping test rooms ▽ Installation of roof covering seats - 5 items are required. The county government will maintain the video equipment, and the club will remodel the rooms after the lights are remodeled. If there is a new J1 standard stadium concept, adding spectator seats and installing a roof will be exempt, but the outlook is uncertain.