LED lighting upgrade for the MCG
Melbourne’s iconic MCG light towers are undergoing a significant change, currently being upgraded to LED technology.
The six light towers which are 85-metres high, were installed some 35 years ago. The $11 million project will see all 1200 metal halide lamps replaced by 950 LED lights in their place.
The project is expected to be completed by late February 2020 and the new state-of-the-art lighting will provide a better experience for players and fans both at the ground and watching on TV.
The new lights will be able to be turned on and off instantly, whereby the existing lighting have a 15-minute turnaround time for the globes to cool. They can also be fully controlled, by dimming or turning on specific lights to create a pattern throughout the stadium. There will also be less light spill out of the arena and greater focus on the field of play due to the new light configuration.
The new lights are approximately 50 per cent more energy efficient than the old globes and also have a much longer lifespan, meaning less need for replacements and therefore less waste. On average, 30 lamps from the old light tower technology are replaced each year.
The project will see the MCG come into line with other modern stadiums including Optus Stadium and Bankwest Stadium. It follows another recent technology upgrade where the famous stadium has had a new and improved sound system installed in time for the Boxing Day Test.
During the works, the MCG is ensuring at least four of the light towers will be in operation, a configuration which meets the lighting requirement set by the ICC.
Already, the lights on two towers, plus all the lights on the stadium's roof, have been replaced by new LED lighting.
MCC facilities general manager Peter Wearne said the new lights would enhance the MCG experience for fans and players.
“We are excited for the MCG light towers to undergo a modern makeover, while still retaining their iconic look and feel,’’ he said.
“The existing lights are the same as what was originally installed 35 years ago, so not only were they reaching the end of their lifespan but they had well and truly begun to be outshone by newer technology.’’
The MCG was first lit up on the night of December 3, 1984 and the light towers unveiled for a World Championship of Cricket match between Australia and England in 1985.
