In a significant development for the world of sports and outdoor event illumination, Abacus Lighting has successfully completed a large-scale project upgrading the existing metal halide floodlighting system at the Kensington Oval Cricket Ground, Barbados, to state-of-the-art LED technology in the form of our Challenger Mako floodlight.
A word from Chris Anderson (Sales Director)
The Kensington Oval is one of the most iconic & historic venues in world cricket. At Abacus, we were very proud to be selected to install permanent floodlights in 2008 as part of the grounds modernisation to international standards. This longstanding relationship built on trust for over 16 years continues as we supply & install a full new LED lighting system in time for the ICC T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Our package of works include responsibility for a full turnkey solution for the Kensington Oval – that means Abacus taking ownership of floodlighting project from initial design to completion. Our works includes for the decommissioning & safe take down of the existing lighting system, manufacturing of the new lighting system & constructing new concrete foundations. Once this is complete, the installation of the new floodlighting system will begin, including installation of 4no new 55m (180 ft) lighting masts complete with Challenger Mako LED floodlights & full controls system with colour changing light show capability. A commissioning phase will end this package of works, where all floodlights will be individually aimed & testing undertaken to ensure the lighting system is complaint against its design standards. The timeframes are tight, but everything will be complete & operational in time for the T20 World Cup in June.
The new lighting masts were designed & manufactured in house to withstand the high winds across the region. These masts will be mounting the cutting edge Challenger Mako LED floodlight, which brings the latest lighting technology to the Kensington Oval. The Challenger Mako LED Floodlight offers the highest power output to lowest weight & optically has been specifically designed for Elite Cricket Stadia, which will improve lighting levels to the latest ICC lighting specifications whilst offering significant energy savings over the existing metal halide lighting system. The system has also been designed to carry extra floodlights on each lighting mast to develop with the venue for the future.
Understanding this varied & diverse use of the Kensington Oval was paramount to Abacus to ensure the new lighting system reflects the flexibility of the venue for both sports & community use. The new lighting controls system allows for light shows & for the lighting to be tailored for specific uses, further enhancing energy savings. With spectators & events in mind, colour changing LED luminaires will also be installed to the Kensington Oval to enhance each visitor’s experience.
Delivering world class lighting solutions to prestigious projects across the world requires the capability & expertise that Abacus have consistently demonstrated during our 65 year history.”
As Abacus Lighting continues to forge ahead with ground breaking projects around the globe, our commitment to excellence and innovation remains unwavering. The successful implementation at Kensington Oval is a testament to our expertise and the world-class quality of our products.