Wimbledon tennis to take place under state-of-the-art LED lighting
The installation of the new lighting was the culmination of more than two years of extensive research, planning, and testing to ensure the solution was custom engineered precisely to the needs at Centre Court.
“The purpose of the project was to improve the quality of lighting for broadcasters, whilst simultaneously improving the functionality of the lighting as part of the roof operation,” said Robert Deatker, AELTC Estate Director.
“Specifically this involves reducing the amount of time required by the lights to warm up or cool down, thus making it quicker to resume play.”
At the onset, project leaders visited the USTA’s Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City—home of the U.S. Open—to see firsthand the performance of Musco’s LED technology, which was installed there the previous year.
As the project moved ahead, a mock-up of the visual setting at Centre Court was created at Musco’s manufacturing and research plant in the U.S., where engineers tested different Kelvin temperatures and Color Rendering Indexes (CRI) to achieve optimal direct and indirect lighting for broadcasts. A television crew was brought in from the U.K. to conduct camera testing to ensure broadcast quality.
From there, the project team conducted further testing at Wimbledon, bringing in professional tennis players to review the lights at Centre Court and offer input for final adjustments. Installation was completed in November 2016.
The TLC for LED system—which was installed on Centre Court’s retractable roof and will be used when the roof is closed—features patented light control technology, delivers a more uniform light, and virtually eliminates glare from impacting players and spectators. The system’s LED fixtures, structural, and electrical components were engineered to work together to ensure long-term reliability.
The new lighting is backed by a long-term warranty covering parts and labor, eliminating maintenance concerns and costs at Wimbledon for the next decade. Musco will install its LED technology at the No. 1 Court for the opening in The Championships 2019.
Musco Lighting – www.musco.com
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