TLIGHT PRBest Project Sports/Entertainment: University of Arizona McKale Center Renovation
Opened in 1973, McKale Arena is the indoor sports venue at the University of Arizona. After 40 years of operation the arena lighting systems were modernized for HDTV broadcast and a much more theatrical appearance to highlight the team's award-winning play. It is also used for commencement.
In 2007, original metal halide sports lighting was replaced by 160 T5 HO high bay luminaires in order to meet NCAA television requirements.
Existing house lighting consisted of 300-watt incandescent recessed luminaires and 500- and 1000-watt incandescent luminaires suspended from the catwalks.
New LED lamps ranging from 5-watts to 19-watts were installed within all house lights to moderate lighting levels in the seats and provide better contrast for the sports court lighting.
The project involved replacing all lighting with LED as part of an overall makeover of the arena. Lighting design requirements included mounting of new high-performance Musco LED sports lighting to existing catwalks.
Sports lighting consists of 84-355 watt DMX dimmable 4000K LED luminaires with extraordinary glare control. The system achieves NCAA television standards for basketball (1250-lux vertical minimum). Each luminaire is 35 pounds for easy handling, with drivers on the catwalk for safe maintenance. Energy and maintenance savings are estimated at $65,000 per year.
Shielded LED sports luminaires were located and aimed to prevent visible glare from critical shooting angles. Players and coaches were asked to evaluate the lighting and minor adjustments were made.
Because the sports lighting system is dimmable and DMX controlled, the lighting is easily reconfigured for gymnastics, volleyball, and other sports.
Six additional luminaires were added after initial commissioning for televising gymnastics. The lighting system was aimed to prevent glare to gymnasts and spectators.
House lighting was also upgraded. Incandescent downlights for the lower bowl were replaced with DMX-dimmable, narrow flood 4000K LED downlights. Existing incandescent downlights in the mid and upper bowls were relamped with dimmable 19-watt, 9-watt, and 5-watt LED lamps.
The project included all-new DMX cabling and patchpanels allowing 3 simultaneous universes for events of all kinds. 24 theatrical moving lights are permanently installed for special effects.
The new lighting system has been called the best in the Pac-12 both for fans and television, and works great for commencement activities and other special events.
[ Read more about Monrad, Musco and the success of this project here. ]