Lights out: Wire theft disrupts high school sports schedule at Federal Way Stadium

Officials draw up adjusted schedule for teams; games pushed to daylight start times

Wire theft has turned off the lights indefinitely at Federal Way Memorial Stadium.

And disrupted a high school sports weekend calendar.

Federal Way School District officials officials discovered wires were stolen from the field’s light system at approximately 6 p.m. Thursday.

Similar thefts, specifically seized copper wiring, have been reported in the region, from Shoreline on down the Puget Sound region.

District security and Federal Way Police were on site when the stolen wires were discovered. Police are investigating.

“We are working with our district Maintenance and Operations team to determine the repairs required,” the school district said. “We do not currently have an estimated time of repair.”

As a result, officials have determined that there is insufficient lighting for evening games until repairs can be made.

District athletic director, high school athletic directors, coaches and officials have been working together to make adjustments to the game schedule as needed until the lighting system is fully restored at Federal Way Memorial Field.

What fans need to know

The revamped schedule for weekend play:

The Thomas Jefferson vs. Auburn football game, originally scheduled for Thursday, kicks off at 3:30 p.m. today at Auburn Memorial Stadium.

• The Federal Way vs. Auburn Riverside football game, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. today, has been rescheduled for 3:30 p.m. today at Federal Way Memorial Field.

• The Decatur vs. Kent-Meridian football game, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, has been rescheduled to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Federal Way Memorial Field.

• Additionally, the varsity and JV soccer games between Todd Beamer and Kentwood scheduled for Saturday have been relocated to Federal Way High School’s auxiliary field.