Canutillo High School Baseball/Softball Complex receives new state-of-the-art lighting system through the 2024 Canutillo Bond

Let there be light!

After years of being the only 5A high school in the region without lights on its baseball and softball fields, Canutillo High School on Friday saw the first-ever night home games in its history thanks to the investment made through the 2024 Canutillo Bond.

A new state-of-the-art lighting system was installed at the CHS Baseball/Softball Complex this winter, funded fully by the bond program voters in the Canutillo Independent School District approved in May. The new lights – the first project completed in the $386.2 million bond – were officially turned on during a ribbon cutting ceremony that featured baseball and softball players, parents and dignitaries, including Chico the official El Paso Chihuahuas mascot.

“By turning on the lights here at Canutillo High School, we are able to show the community that we are committed to completing the Bond as promised, and to positively impact the lives of our students and community members,” Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz said. “The lights are an amazing first step in what I know will be a transformative bond program for Canutillo. I can’t wait to see how our District will be benefited by this investment.”

Beyond the traditional lighting infrastructure, the new $620,000 system includes features like wireless controls, as well as color-changing and energy-saving technology and advanced integration to video and audio displays.

The project was designed by MNK Architects and installed by Musco Lighting. The project was managed by PROCEDEO Group, the company the District contracted to manage bond work.

The installation of lights is important for Canutillo High because it will allow the school to finally host night baseball and softball games. Until now, home games had to be scheduled early in the afternoon, which forced coaches to pull students from classes in order to complete games before dark. This meant that students had to make up work and miss important instructional time.

“The lack of lights meant our student athletes had to make additional sacrifices in order to achieve their academic and athletic goals,” Canutillo High Principal Candice Marrufo said. “Now, our students will be able to perform at the highest levels both in the classroom and on the field.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony featured ceremonial first pitches under the lights and a light-switching ceremony where baseball and softball players helped turn on the lights for the first time. The ceremony was followed by the Battle of Canutillo – baseball and softball games between Alderete and Canutillo middle schools.

About the 2024 Canutillo Bond

Voters in the Canutillo Independent School District passed the historic Canutillo Bond on May 4, 2024. The $386.2-million Canutillo Bond is the largest per-capita bond ever approved in El Paso County and is considered by the District to be a catalyst program in helping Canutillo move into the next phase of its transformation into a premier suburban school district in Texas. The Bond is designed to modernize existing campuses, address continued growth within the District’s boundaries and upgrade the District’s safety and security infrastructure.

To learn more about the bond visit the Canutillo Bond website at www.canutilloisd2024bond.com.