Mercedes-Benz Superdome officials flipped the switch on a new LED lighting system Thursday, illuminating the outside of the 36-year iconic stadium in a spectrum of animated colors and images. New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, Superdome commission Chairman Ron Forman and SMG Senior Vice President Doug Thornton hosted a free-to-the-public lighting ceremony to showcase the capabilities of the $1.6 million permanent system that is set to a musical soundtrack.
"This is something we have been talking about for quite some time," said Thornton, whose company operates the Dome and the adjacent New Orleans Arena on behalf of the state. "We've always wanted to have a permanent lighting system on the Dome that could really be something special.
"For us this is all about creating an exciting new profile and image for the Superdome. This is all apart of the rebranding of the facility since Katrina. With the new imaging of the facility and all the renovations that have been done here we basically have a new stadium now. And what better way to showcase it than to have the lights out there."
In June, the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District -- the board appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal to plan, finance, construct, develop, maintain and operate six state-owned facilities including the Superdome and the New Orleans Arena -- voted to approve the LED lighting system, which was paid for out of the recently completed $85 million renovation budget.
Although the price tag seems costly, Dome officials told LSED members at its June meeting that it will save money over the long haul because it'll reduce the cost of the monthly energy bill.
The entire system, when operating in one color, draws only 10 kilowatts of electricity -- the equivalent amount of energy used by a small home. When operated six hours per day every day of the year, no lights will need to be replaced until 2057, according to Dome officials.
Gary Solomon Jr., the president of the Solomon Group, the company that designed the system, said crews installed more than 26,000 LED lights in 288 fixtures that are capable of reproducing every color of the rainbow on all 96 concave aluminum panels that ring the building's exterior.
The lighting system, which was installed by local contractor, Frischhertz Electric, is expected to not only showcase the stadium as part of the city's vibrant sports district but to also include coordinated illumination with Champions Square and the Hyatt Hotel.
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