Location: Nashville, TN
Venue
Bridgestone Arena is home to the NHL’s Nashville Predators and also regularly holds regional and national basketball tournaments. Numerous concerts, family shows and ice performances take place at the venue, which has also hosted the Country Music Association Awards since 2006. Bridgestone Arena was named “2014 Arena of the Year” by Pollstar Magazine, and has a seating capacity of 17,100 for hockey and up to 20,000 for concerts. The arena will host the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.
Challenge
Maintenance was becoming more cumbersome as the lights required frequent replacement due to shifting color temperatures and decreased lumen output. Energy costs were a growing concern. Operators wanted to use lighting to create more sophisticated productions and to better accommodate the variety of events held at Bridgestone.
Solution
120 Ephesus sports lighting fixtures were installed to replace 247 metal halide lights. These unique fixtures provide color temperature tuning adjustments at the push of a button with no decrease in light on the surface. A “warmer” color temperature was programmed for basketball and a “cooler” one for hockey. Additional settings were created for events like concerts and maintenance. Prism color fixtures were installed to create unique fan experience effects while more Prisms were installed around the building’s exterior to provide colored uplighting. All of the Ephesus fixtures incorporated DMX controls to enable dynamic fan experience effects as well as increased operational flexibility.
Results
Bridgestone Arena became the first venue to implement a color-temperature tuning LED lighting solution. Energy costs were reduced by an estimated 85% while the number of fixtures was reduced by more than half. An average of 214 foot candles was generated on the playing surface. Operators state the ice is now more easily and uniformly maintained. Audiences at Bridgestone Arena or watching its events on HDTV will now have a clearer, brighter view of the action.
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 17: during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on November 17, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
Bridgestone Arena under 5600 degrees Kelvin color temperature lighting. This is ideal for hockey and ice events.
Bridgestone Arena under 4000 degrees Kelvin color temperature lighting, which is preferred for basketball and other court sports. Though not ideal for hockey, this photo is offered for comparison against the 5600 degrees Kelvin setting.
Prism RGB color fixtures create purple lighting at Bridgestone Arena.
The combination of the improved lighting and fan entertainment elements, coupled with the environmental benefits and lower operating costs, made this solution an easy choice to add to our upgrades to the Bridgestone Arena. We are especially excited about showcasing the new system during NHL All-Star Weekend, when the eyes of the hockey world are upon Nashville.Tim Friedenberger, Vice President of Facilities Operations for Bridgestone Arena
