I live near Free State High, which depending on for which high school a parent’s son or daughter competes either means I favor the Firebirds or I bend over backward not to favor them and therefore favor Lawrence High.

Anyway, during the summer, regardless of how the day went at work (usually fine) or on the golf course (usually down-right awful), the sight of lights at Free State on my way home always had a pick-me-up effect.

Shining lights at a high school diamond usually means teenagers are playing ball there, which means they aren’t out drinking or smoking pot or fighting or making babies they aren’t anywhere near ready to rear.

Shining lights at a ballpark on high school property usually means teenagers are in the process of figuring out how to make themselves better, cooperating with peers, forming friendships and creating memories.

To see those lights burning is to feel better about life.

Maybe not many will show up at tonight’s Lawrence/Douglas County Planning Commission meeting, which in part will address plans to expand athletic facilities at the city’s two public high schools, to voice such sentiments. Usually, only the dissenting voices go to the trouble to be heard at such meetings.

Anyone with a legitimate concern, such as drainage that spills onto private property, should show up to make sure that concern is addressed. The thing to guard against, for those who don’t have any real issues, is seeking something to fear and hate and deciding this will do for the moment. It would be a shame if anybody is against the most sensible high school athletic plan to come along in years for the sake of being against something. Protest for the sake of protest, a bad habit of the anti-everything crowd.

The plan, paid for in part by previous bond issues, would create additional parking, bleachers, restrooms, concessions, lighting and sound systems for football, softball and soccer at LHS and for baseball and tennis at nearby Centennial/Lawrence Virtual. It calls for similar improvements at Free State for football, softball, basketball, soccer and tennis.

On this issue, parents of athletes on both sides of the dividing line have reason to unite. If one school’s project gets shouted down, the whole deal blows up.

If the plan is enacted as early as next fall, LHS athletes, students supporting athletes from the stands, and parents won’t have to drive all over town to watch sporting events. Students can walk from the classroom to games. School spirit will intensify.

As for living near Free State, the louder the football games are, the better. A groan means the local soccer team just gave up a goal. A roar means it just scored one. The sound of an emotional crowd at an athletic event soothes the ears. Ditto for the band belting out the school fight song.

On-campus sporting events will be attended by far more students, a very good, wholesome thing.

The meeting takes place from 6:30 to 10:30 tonight at city hall, 6 E. Sixth St. Here’s hoping all parties can agree the time has arrived to upgrade athletic facilities at both schools without breaking the bank.