EAST PROVIDENCE — A gray, overcast sky late in the morning into the early afternoon of Wednesday, July 19, was the perfect backdrop to test the reinstalled light post at East Providence High School's Townie Stadium, which had been downed since being impacted nearly a year ago due to drain pipe issue.

According to School District Director of Facilities Chris Murphy, the Musco pole, which was removed from its position in September of last year due a break in the abutting pipe, was rewired and operable as of last Wednesday.

Two days prior, the walkway where the pole is located, in the northwest section of the 2,500-seat forum, was also repaired by pouring concrete.

The area had been in disarray since late August/early September of 2022 following two periods of heavy rain fall. A 35-inch drainage pipe that carries water from the front of the Pawtucket Avenue campus to the rear where the stadium is situated succumbed under the copious amount of liquid derived from the storms.

The pipe sits oh so close to the light post base as well as the foundation of the stadium bleachers. Because of safety concerns the pole was taken down and sat nearby while district officials and contractors squabbled over how to resolve the drain pipe problem and who was liable to pay for its repair.

That process only concluded in recent weeks. The pole itself was put back into position on June 28. It was rewired and tested last week.

Murphy said the district is awaiting the delivery of new fencing to enclose the back of the bleachers. He added some "minor landscaping" needs to be done in the surrounding area before the stadium can be reopened in full for the start of the 2023-24 high school sports season in September.

"We are excited to be back at home this fall with full access to our stadium," said District Athletic Director Alex Butler, who took over the position in December of 2022. "I'm looking forward to my first fall as AD. Having gone through the winter and spring, I'm looking forward to see our teams compete this fall. I'll certainly be busy as I will be coaching (EPHS girls') volleyball for my 23rd season."

As a reminder, the stadium remained in use throughout the '22-23 term. The boys' and girls' soccer and lacrosse teams were able to play with somewhat limited capacity due to the closure of the stands in both the fall and spring. A temporary light was used for night games, especially late in the season as daylight waned ever earlier.

The EPHS football team, because of its larger crowds, did make a one-off return to its former home of Pierce Memorial Stadium to play its 2022 home games, but hosts its contests at Townie Stadium in 2023.

EPHS head football coach Jon Stringfellow admitted to having "mixed emotions" about returning to campus after playing last season at Pierce where he spent a lot of his youth with his father, program legend Bill, and his mother, Sheila. The Stringfellow Family is recognized with signage as the historic venue for their contributions to EPHS football.

Still, he said of the upcoming season, "I'm excited to get back on the turf," referring to the state-of-the-art synthetic playing surface at Townie Stadium that should benefit his speedy, athletic squad.