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The Stanly County Board of Commissioners approved updates to the livestock arena project at Tuesday’s meeting.

County Manager Andy Lucas said the county’s information technology (IT) staff was working with MCT General Contractors regarding additional conduit requirements, electrical service enhancements and HVAC upgrades for the IT network closet at the arena.

The new costs for the changes will be $227,833, of which $102,375 will be used from the contingency fund. However, the county has received $250,000 from the state for the arena project, which will offset the cost of the changes and leave approximately $125,000 for other changes.

Lucas said the items include six big fans for the arena and solar lighting for the parking lot. He said the solar lights will save the county $23,004 including additional savings in reduced overhead, which along with the cost will total $25,580.

When asked by Board Chair Bill Lawhon about how well solar lights work, Commissioner Trent Hatley said he was told by MCT the lighting was used in church parking lots and commercial lots. Hatley said the lights would still work even after three consecutive days of darkness.

“It’s pretty impressive what (the lights) will do,” Hatley said, adding the lights have a five-year warranty.