Robe moving lights – 20 x BMFL Blades and 32 x Pointes – have been specified and
installed in a brand new lighting installation at Boston’s TD Garden Arena by New
Hampshire, U.S.A. based Port Lighting Systems.
The project was managed for Port Lighting by lead designer, Ron Kuszmar. The
company’s successful working relationship as a technical supplier to the landmark
multi-purpose venue goes back over two decades … since it opened in 1995.
The 17,500 – 19,600 capacity multi-purpose (depending on configuration) TD Garden
is home to the NHL’s Boston Bruins and the NBA’s Boston Celtics and also hosts
concerts and other live events. The new lighting scheme replaced and –
substantially – upgraded the previous one installed in 2009 and is primarily used to
light the pre and in-match entertainment slots and for getting the crowds pumped
up and in the mood for serious sporting action.
The lights are dotted around the arena on four trusses running along each of the
sides, positioned so they can easily reach across either the ice rink or basketball
court and around the audience seating.
The brief which came directly from the client – TD is funded by the two teams and
currently sponsored by TD Bank – was to make the lighting bigger and better than
before, so Kuszmar and his team chose Robe’s BMFL Blade as the brightest fixture
currently available, supported by the extremely powerful Pointe.
Port Lighting, a busy rental, production and installation specialist, invested in Robe’s
BMFL technology with the purchase of BMFL Spots shortly after the new high-
powered product range was launched … and have had an excellent experience with
them and with Pointe fixtures, which are also mainstays of their rental stock.
The Pointes were chosen because the client was keen on having beams in the
lighting equation – a style that’s currently trending in many applications particular
for audience lighting and again something that looks particularly dynamic on
camera.
The 52 new lights are making a “dramatic’ difference that is especially noticeable
for big WOW factor effects like washing the whole arena confirmed Kuszmar.
The control system was also changed out with the re-fit that saw a new Hog 4
console and a Benjamin Electric smart power distro – chosen for its remotely
switchable breakers, scheduling and remote power monitoring – delivered as part of
the lighting package.
Operators for the games and events are provided, and there is a pool of locally-
based Port-trained personnel available to ensure the rig is maximized and used to
its fullest extent.
Joining Kuszmar on the design team for this exciting project were Steve Bearse and
Kyle Stetson. John Beaulieu and Dan Bourgeois coordinated the installation and
integration and Lee Mulder, Adam Blackstock, Sean Harding and Chris Campbell
worked on the prep elements.
