Alexandria Council Approves St. Stephen's Sports Expansion

The plan allows for field lighting and facility upgrades at the private school.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Football

Screen-print poster illustration of a brick sports pavilion and field lighting, representing athletic facility modernization for a community school. — The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved an expansion plan for St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, including new lighting and modernized seating. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support private schools installing high-intensity field lighting in residential areas?

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved an athletic facility expansion plan for St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School. The project includes new field lighting and modernized seating structures.

Why it matters

The upgrades aim to replace aging 1970s-era bleachers while improving ADA accessibility and spectator comfort. The initiative marks a significant infrastructure investment for a school that has operated in the city for over 100 years.

The school will install eight 85-foot-tall field lights alongside a 1,500-square-foot concessions building. The project increases seating capacity to 1,262 seats to accommodate athletic events.

The players

Alexandria City Council

This local government body is responsible for municipal legislative actions and the approval of zoning and infrastructure projects within Alexandria.

St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School

This private educational institution has operated in Alexandria for more than 100 years.

The details

The plan adds a 715-square-foot pavilion and a 770-square-foot storage shed and press box, all featuring brick veneer to match existing campus architecture. No field events currently occur at the site after 6:30 p.m.

October 17, 2026: The City Council approved the expansion plan.
September 2021: Alexandria City High School debuted its own field lights.
2018: The City Council previously voted to add lights at the local public high school.

Season Trajectory

This approval aligns with the city's broader history of modernizing local athletic infrastructure to support competitive programs. It mirrors the precedent set by the 2018 Alexandria City Council vote to add lights at Alexandria City High School.

The upgrades replace 1970s-era bleachers to ensure improved legroom and ADA compliance for spectators attending future games. The installation of eight 85-foot-tall lights will allow for night games that are not currently permitted after 6:30 p.m.

The takeaway

Schools continue to prioritize facility modernization to remain competitive in regional athletic circuits. Homeowners and local residents should expect changes to evening activity schedules once the new lighting systems become operational.