CHARLESTON, W.Va. – With your next sporting event or concert at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum, officials say you can expect “crisp” lighting and clearer viewing for televised programming.
The Charleston Civic Center and Ephesus Lighting, the leader in high-output LED lighting in sports and entertainment venues, Friday unveiled a new high-output LED lighting system as part of the facility’s overall renovation project.
Charleston Civic Center Coliseum General Manager John Robertson welcomed the media and guests to a press conference Friday morning on the floor of the Charleston Civic Center’s Coliseum.
Roberts0n introduced Michelle Miner, project engineer for Ephesus Lighting, Jim Fawcett, manager of Appalachian Power’s energy efficiency & alternative energy initiatives, and Bob Kimball of Charleston-based Robert Kimball Associates, who served as the local liaison for Ephesus.
The Charleston Civic Center Coliseum installed 24 Ephesus Arena 600 fixtures to replace 58 one-thousand watt metal halide lamps. The reduction from 58,000 watts to just 14,400 watts needed to power the Ephesus solution represents a 75 percent energy savings.
Robertson said the LED lights will dramatically improving the lighting quality of the arena while practically eliminating maintenance costs as the LED fixtures last for over 10 years.
Miner and Kimball explained that the new lights also meet NCAA standards for sports arenas.
Fawcett told those assembled about the energy and costs savings from the new LED lights, explaining that the Charleston Civic Center is seeking maximum value by engaging in the Appalachian Power Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Energy Efficiency Program. This program helps non-residential customers implement energy efficient projects through financial incentives to offset project costs. Incentives are based upon energy savings achieved through a variety of energy technologies including lighting, HVAC, food service equipment, refrigeration, traffic lighting, and hot water. The facility is expected to receive a $13,000 rebate from this project. Including previous projects, Fawcett said the Civic Center’s energy rebates should total nearly $64,000.
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Minor explained that the LED lighting is brighter and provides more uniform light on the playing surface, creating a better stage for performers as well as for both fans in the arena and those watching on high-definition television. Additionally, LED lights can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch, whereas metal halide fixtures require a 20-minute warm-up period. This on/off feature also allows facility operators to create projection light shows for fan entertainment, and if a power outage were ever to cause a blackout, Ephesus LED lights can be turned back on immediately with the flick of a switch.
The Charleston Civic Center Coliseum was built in 1959 and has undergone several renovations over the past half-century. Officials said the 13,500-seat arena “is the preeminent entertainment arena in West Virginia which averages usage of 150 days annually for entertainment events, sports activities, family shows, graduations. meetings and conventions.
For more information visit www.CharlestonWVCivicCenter.com.
For more information, visit www.ephesuslighting.com, follow us on Twitter @EphesusLighting or contact us at 315-579-2873 or info@ ephesuslighting.com.
