23/01/2013 - Permalink

Replacement lamps for floodlights at Bridgnorth Leisure Centre

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage

Floodlight bulbs have been replaced on the artificial turf pitch at Bridgnorth Leisure Centre. 

Shropshire Council commissioned Acorn Electrics to complete this vital replacement work to improve the ‘LUX’ level for those playing all sports on the surface, but particularly for hockey players.  Each of six columns, installed over 20 years ago, have five or six lamps placed at various angles to give coverage of the entire pitch.  

Of the 36 lamps, there were eight lamps that had ceased to work, giving low ‘LUX’ levels in those areas. Given the age of the floodlight columns and the bulbs, a special order had to be made for replacements.  In addition, the integral ladders on each column were considered unsafe, so a ‘cherry picker’ was brought in to assist. 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for active and healthy lifestyles, said: 

“We hope that this action will restore confidence among all users of this popular and valuable facility at the leisure centre.  Indeed, the hockey players, during the short days, were having to squeeze all their weekend home fixtures into the middle of the day to prevent potential visual hazards in the murky late afternoon conditions, and now the floodlight bulbs have been replaced, they won’t need to.”

 

Christian Lea, a Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbotts, said:

“It is pleasing news to hear that the ‘Lux’ levels have been greatly improved on the artificial turf pitch, which will be welcomed by users. With this improvement in lighting levels, it will hopefully encourage greater use of the pitch, helping local residents to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”

William Parr, also a Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbotts, said:

“The standard, performance and safety of sports will be enhanced by the new lights which have been replaced at Bridgnorth Leisure Centre.  It’s important that sports facilities are maintained at the best possible level and not left to decline, and I support the work which has been done and the better lighting achieved.”