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| Blackout Provides Revolutionary Arena System for Cardiff Millennium Stadium |
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August 2005
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Inside the Millenium Stadium
Inside the Millenium Stadium
Inside the Millenium Stadium |
Drapes and rigging specialist Blackout was appointed by The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to design and install a revolutionary arena system, which has radically enhanced its main bowl's potential as a multi-functional and versatile indoor venue.
The innovative drapes and rigging system features as part of £1 million joint venture between the Millennium Commission, caterers, Letheby and Christopher, the Welsh Tourist Board and the Millennium Stadium, to expand on the original design of the stadium. It allows the main bowl to be divided into four possible staging configurations, accommodating events for audiences between 12,000 and 46,000.
As the first "arena system" of its kind in Europe, Blackout's team headed by MD Steve Tuck and Project Manager Ken Nock collaborated with The Millennium Stadium's Chief Executive, Paul Sergeant, from the outset. The innovative system comprises three key parts: an 18 metre x 12 metre modular stage, full stadium width partition drape and a 40 metre by 20 metre lighting mother grid.
The system was inaugurated in July for REM's performance as part of their "Around the Sun" world tour where one of the arena configurations was deployed to facilitate an indoor arena environment for a 36, 000-audience capacity as opposed to the stadium's previous fixed capacity limit of 63,500 for a live concert.
The Millennium Stadium's Chief Executive, Paul Sergeant, commented:
"We cannot over-state the value of the arena system supplied by Blackout. It puts the stadium in a league of its own as a very multi-functional venue. The original design of the stadium with its removable pitch and retractable roof has been terrific and has put us on the international map in sporting terms. But this new concept opens the doors for us to host a wide range of events and concerts as diverse as rock, pop, jazz and classical. Other sports apart from football and rugby can now be staged here including, tennis, boxing and basketball. Additionally, the arena now has the potential to offer the largest conferencing and exhibition centre in the UK."
The Grid structure comprises Total Fabrication's innovative T2 support system, which is a new and advanced demountable structural modular truss system that boasts integral protection for personnel against falls from a height. Modified to Ken Nock's exacting specifications, it provides one of the safest methods of climbing and working at height that has ever been seen in Europe.
The T2 grid is attached to the Stadium's unique tracking roof using special brackets installed by Blackout with in-built load cells to prevent any misuse or structural overloading. By using 18 x five tonne capacity Liftket double braked motors, the grid can be raised to its pre-set height using a computer controlled operating system supplied by Kinesys, which inherently adds to the overall safety of the systems' design. Additionally 30 spreader beams were specified by Nock to ensure that all the safety channels were kept clear, reducing the need to climb. The grid can be moved and positioned according to the stadium's requirements.
The main drape system features 12 off 9 metre x 35 metre black lightweight and flame retardant molten trevira drapes. They have been suspended by Blackout from a small gauge truss system, which is flown across the pitch. Another 110 metres of drapes have been supplied to be suspended either side of the main system, providing masking seat levels. This is also suspended on small gauge truss complete with an integral track system. Two bespoke storage/installation platforms were designed by Blackout and manufactured by Total Fabrications to contain the drapes when not in use. Each platform is flown using 4 x Liftket double braked motors to handle the 1.5 tonne load either side.
Additionally Blackout supplied a 18 metre x 12 metre rolling stage, which was manufactured by Total Fabrications to Blackout's specifications.
For further information, please contact:
Katinka Allender
PR Consultant
Phone: +44 (0)1865 409977
Email: katinka@katinka.org.uk
Jessica Eames
Sales Manager
Blackout Ltd
Phone: +44 (0)20 8687 8400
Email: jessicae@blackout-ltd.com |
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