Operation Bright Lights
UPDATE AS OF FRIDAY OCTOBER 19th
We are back in action now. The work is done and
the lights are going through a burn in period to check for initial defects. All
the courts are fully functional.
"The lights are in a different place, so you will feel like you are playing in a
different facility"
Thank you for your patience throughout the waiting/building process.
After 29 years, the LCSC Tennis Center will receive
a timely facelift to celebrate its thirty year anniversary in 2005. The facility
has received funding from the Permanent Building Fund Board to install new light fixtures and
light tubes.
"What we currently have in place was the standard back in the 70's and part of
the early 80's, but it is time for a new system".
We anticipate the light levels to double. Light level readings fluctuated
between 10-27 (candle foot) from the back curtain to the center net strap. The
highest reading of 35 was registered outside of the court surface in between the
net posts.
The new lighting is designed by Pacific Energy Solutions who has completed
installations in a few major clubs in the Seattle area. The fixtures (which
house the higher output T5 fluorescent tubes) are configured into three tiers to
provide more uniformity in the light levels. So instead of one long straight row of light fixtures hanging at the same
level/height, there are going to be five different sections of light fixtures
hung at three different heights. The key features of this system are increased
light levels, better energy efficiency, longer lasting tubes and a fancier look.
Funding is only available for the lighting system, the insulation on the ceiling
will remain.
Work is scheduled to begin on October 11th and will
proceed until the 19th. The work will be handled by John's Electric. This
project will affect our tennis playing routine for a week and half.
Tuesday October 12th
Here are the photos taken as of Tuesday. Courts #3 and 4 are being worked on
now, and should be completed by Thursday. Courts #1 and 2 are scheduled to be
completed sometime on Monday (October 18th). That means the North Side courts
could be ready for play by Friday morning (possibly as early as Thursday night
depending on quickly the court gets cleaned and the nets installed.). Please
call the office for updates on Thursday afternoon.
Photo taken from court#4 looking at Court #3 at the end of the day.
The new fixtures are the smaller ones.
Series of photos taken while standing just outside the office door.
Wednesday October 13th
There is progress. All the old fixtures are down and the new ones are up
on courts #3 and 4. The second set of courts should go smoother as the crew has
gone through a steep learning curve.
Court#4
The view from the northeast corner of court#4
Another view from northeast corner of court#4
Court #4
Thursday October 14th
The first set of courts are nearing completion. They were supposed to have been
ready to go today but
some of the ballasts have malfunctioned. It will be Monday before the parts
arrive in Lewiston. That means, no tennis this weekend nor Monday morning. Maybe
by Tuesday morning there will be two courts available. The courts should be back
in full swing by Wednesday morning for regular tennis play (according to the
contractors).
The first thing you will notice besides the increased illumination is the
perceived spaciousness. You will be pleasantly surprised by the change. There is
only one set of lights in between the courts, and the side row of lights are set
about five feet outside of the doubles sidelines. Players cannot blame the
lights for being in their way anymore.
These photos will give you an idea of the look but
A view from just outside the office door looking at #3 and 4 - comparative
photos
