City council agreed Monday to punt $238,000 to S&T Electrical Contractors Ltd. to fix the lighting problem that caused an embarrassing failure of field lights at the Sault Steelers season opener on June 11.
The high-mast field lights at Rocky DiPietro field were already earmarked for replacement in the city's 2022 capital budget, but only $193,000 was allocated for the project.
S&T was the only company that responded to a tender call, but its bid was $45,000 more than city officials were hoping to pay.
Councillors voted Monday to pay the shortfall from a subdivider reserve fund.
The Steelers' June 11 season opener against Tri-City Outlaws had to be called off at half-time when the lights failed.
That was followed by a firestorm of social media commentary that in turn was followed by some Outlaws players receiving suspensions from the Northern Football Conference.
The city was having trouble finding replacement bulbs for the Rocky DiPietro lights.
A lighting consultant was retained, who recommended Cooper Lighting fixtures.