With the time change that ended daylight savings time in North America earlier this month, local residents are flicking on their lights earlier each day, late in the afternoon in most cases.

The landmark cross on Moffly Hill that overlooks Sault Ste. Marie will also light up earlier each day, and may even shine brighter once installation of a new LED lighting system is completed in a few weeks.

The LED (light-emitting diode) lights, which are more efficient, will last much longer than the florescent tube lights that have illuminated the cross for decades. They will also ensure that sections of the 37-foot-tall structure do not go dark and remain dark for weeks.

However, the new system does come with a hefty $50,000-plus price tag, says Emma Naccarato, secretary/treasurer of the Sault Ste. Marie Light the Cross Committee.

“It's a very expensive procedure, but they're working on them now. It's almost complete,” Naccarato said recently.

The LED system is expected to keep the cross lit, “For at least 30 years,” she said.

Florescent lights have been a problem. When some of the tubes burned out in the past they would need to be reordered and changed. But in the meantime portions of the 54-year-old metal cross would remain dark, Naccarato said.

“They would continually die (out) in certain areas,” she said.

“The problem was, in the winter time they couldn't be changed because we had to get the fire department to go up there and change them. It was time consuming and not really practical ... If they went out in winter we'd have to wait till spring” to change them, she said.

“For the past couple of years we only had portions of the cross lit. So we have decided to go with the LED lights.”

The cross committee is spearheading the drive to raise money for the new lighting system by delivering cards and posters to local churches as well as other Christian locations, informing people how they can make tax-deductible donations.

The cross that stands on Moffly Hill near St. Georges Avenue East, is one of the largest in North America.

It was erected in 1960 as a reminder of a wooden cross that was erected on a hill in the area — more than 340 years ago — overlooking the St. Mary's River after the French proclaimed sovereignty over a vast portion of the New World.

In 1671 the wooden cross was the centre piece of ceremony dedicating the area to God.

The ceremony was reportedly attended by aboriginal people that represented 17 nations, Jesuit priests and traders, trappers and French army officers.

The present cross was conceived by Mike Lukenda, Bill Taylor and Mike Perepelytz.

“It's important to a lot of people in Sault Ste. Marie. You can see it coming across on the (International) Bridge, so there are a lot of people interested in seeing it lit. It's a landmark and it gives glory to God,” Naccarato said.

The non-profitable, charitable Light the Cross volunteer organization oversees the non-denominational site, which is surrounded by flower gardens.

“It's not just the cross, there are actual people we hire in the summer time to keep the grounds beautiful also. It's a beautiful place to pray or mediate,” Naccarato said.

Donations can also be made by sending a check payable to Light the Cross, 25 Sunnyside Beach Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., P6A 6K4.