Outdoor stadiums are a centerpiece at many high school and college campuses, providing a gathering place for not only students, but also the surrounding community to enjoy sporting events as well as other happenings. When planning the AV for these outdoor venues there are several important considerations to ensure a positive experience for visitors for years to come.
Mother Nature
Weather can fluctuate dramatically, making things challenging when planning a system that will work properly and effectively in both humid, hot summers as well as dry, cold winters. Not to mention wind, rain and other inclement conditions. There are specialized speakers that can deal with these conditions, but depending on location may need additional housing as well as waterproof connectivity and weatherized external cabling.
Versatility
Designing an AV system that ensures longevity means planning for tasks that change on a day-to-day basis. Flexibility is key so that the venue is prepared to handle everything from a football game to a graduation ceremony to a concert. Intelligibility is a vital component at any event, so your speakers must be able to overcome the crowd decibel level without overwhelming visitors.
Video
Most stadiums require a scoreboard of some type at the very least, which nowadays usually doubles as entertainment and a method of viewing activities on the field that may be hard to see in detail otherwise. With outdoor conditions, durability of these displays is important. Brightness is also a concern with competing stadium lighting during the evening and sunlight during the day, so LED video elements are a choice option. Since these displays are viewed at a distance, resolution is not as important as it would be in other instances where viewers are much closer in proximity.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Every stadium is unique and will require different systems and specifications to appropriately accommodate its’ guests and activities. Weatherization of equipment will differ depending on location as in the case of a stadium in year round hot and humid Miami versus the Northeast, with much colder winters and milder summers. Surrounding neighborhoods or businesses that may be close by need to be considered to ensure noise is kept to a minimum when an event is underway.
The design and coordination of outdoor stadiums requires finesse and engineering to be successful, but careful planning pays off to provide a facility that will entertain visitors for the foreseeable future, with amazing sound and brilliant video.
