Sparks Electrical News February 2019

LIGHTING

20

COETZENBURG STADIUM, A FIRST IN SOUTH AFRICAN ATHLETICS SPORTS LIGHTING

W hen it comes to athletics in South Africa, few will dispute that Coetzenburg Athlet- ics Stadium, at the University of Stellen- bosch, is a firm favourite. A preferred stadium for athletes around the world, for both training in their off-season before world championship events kick- off and to compete, this stadium has recently been upgraded to include a state-of-the-art lighting sys- tem, the first of its kind at an athletics stadium in South Africa. Coetzenburg Athletics Stadium is owned by the University of Stellenbosch and is just over 10 years old. The track has seen Olympic Gold Medal winners and world champions train and compete over the years. The upgrade of the lighting system coincides

with the upgrading of the track and facilities. Sports stadium lighting specialists, Maritz Electri- cal, recently installed a similar system at St. George’s Park Cricket Ground, and was commissioned to install an LED lighting system that brings a new dimension to athletics stadium lighting at Coetzen- burg. The lighting system is the world-renowned Musco system used in famous stadiums such as Twickenham rugby stadium, numerous Formula 1 race tracks and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. According to Warren Williams, Head of Techni- cal at Maritz Electrical, this is the first LED system installed at an athletics stadium in South Africa. The University of Stellenbosch recognised the need to upgrade Coetzenburg stadium to international standards to cater for global athletes using the sta- dium as a preferred training ground, and for interna- tional athletics competitions. Installation of the masts takes precise planning from an advanced Musco computerised set-up to ensure that, once installed, all areas of the track and field are sufficiently lit to the required lux levels. The demand from athletes and broadcasters to have cutting-edge tracks has resulted in stadium up- grades that include lighting at the right lux levels for high definition broadcasting, and to enhance spec- tator experience and athlete performance. Williams says, “This is a result of years of planning ending in an exciting installation in December 2018. TheMusco installation comprises fivemasts,eachwith a predetermined number of lights,and lighting installed along the main grandstand roof. Each of the lights on the masts have been positioned precisely to produce lux levels suitable for high definition broadcasting. “A Musco lighting system was also installed at St George’s Park cricket ground, which caters for high definition television cameras, a trend for advanced broadcasting across the world,” says Williams. “The installation at Coetzenburg Athletics Stadium is the first LED lighting system at an athletics field in South Africa, and a proud moment for the University of Stellenbosch and athletics in our country. Boasting an international-standard track, Coetzenburg has just become the most sought-after athletics stadium in South Africa, for local and international athletics.” The Coetzenburg stadium lighting system offers a unique solution with sufficient lux levels: Lux levels achieved: 850 lx on the track, and 500 lx on the field, which is sufficient to allow for modern day television cameras. A total of 128 Musco fixtures have been in- stalled around the track; 107 Musco TLC LED 1150 (1150 W) are installed on the five masts and 21 Musco TLC LED 600 (580 W) roof mounts on the main grandstand. Three of the masts were specifically designed to accommodate Vodacom, MTN and Cell C antennae and equipment. The lighting system is controlled by Musco’s mul- ti-watt function, which allows for the lighting to be dimmed or set to three different levels 30%, 50% and 100% of power. The installation at Coetzenburg stadium has a 10-year warrantee on the lights, vastly reducing maintenance costs for the university. The installation of new lighting, on top of the sta- dium upgrade adds immense value to the univer- sity’s property. Maties is a university that attracts top students due to its quality of education and superior sports and cultural facilities. Varsity athletics is a key source of South African athletics and with the stadi- um revamp including the track, facilities and lighting, Coetzenburg has just elevated itself into the coun- try’s premier athletics venue, cementing its status as a preferred track. Williams says the new system takes athletics in South Africa to a new level. Not only is Coetzenburg the first athletics track to feature an LED system, it is the first of its kind at an athletics stadium in South Africa, leading the sport while conforming to inter- national standards. This maintains the university’s status as one of the best in the world; a venue for all athletics up to and including senior and international competitions.

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SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 2019