The installation of new LED field lights at H.A. Lynn Stadium in Newton has changed the start time for Friday’s annual Gatorade football Scrimmage. Newton High School Athletics and Activities Director Ryan Rump announced the new start times Monday.

“That project has taken a little longer than we thought it was going to. Because of that we will not have lights available this Friday, so we are going to adjust the times up so we can be finished by dark. The Freshman scrimmage will start at 4 p.m. followed by the JV scrimmage at 5 p.m. and the recognition of all our sports teams at 6 p.m.. The Varsity scrimmage will start after that and we will be finished by dark.

Rump says the new stadium lights are expected to be ready to go by the first home football game early next month.

“I’ve got as close to a guarantee as I can possibly get that they will be ready for the first home game on September 6th. I think it will be shortly after this week that they will be ready to go.”

That first home game is against Dallas Center Grimes. The Newton School Board approved the $632,443 project with Van Maanen Electric in Newton back in June. Last season after the Pella game, electrical equipment for one of the light towers on the home side of the field caused a fire. It was extinguished with no other major damage. The light towers being replaced were original to the stadium, which was built in the early 1940’s.