Case Study - Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park – Floodlighting Repositioning
Updated: Aug 14
Project Overview
Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is a major sporting, health and community development on the site of the former Don Valley Stadium, a venue originally built for the 1991 World Student Games. Inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Park was established to create a lasting sporting legacy for Sheffield, bringing together elite sport, education, research and community participation. Today, it is home to a range of world-class sporting facilities, including the English Institute of Sport, a full-size 3G pitch, iceSheffield and the Canon Medical Arena.
SJB Floodlighting was appointed to undertake the proposed repositioning of floodlighting at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, supporting works associated with the development of the stadium stand for the 3G pitch.
The project required careful consideration of the existing sports floodlighting system to maintain pitch illumination while allowing the surrounding stand works to progress.
The solution involved modifying existing floodlighting columns, relocating floodlights onto the new stand roof and adapting the electrical infrastructure to suit the revised arrangement.
The Challenge
The existing floodlighting arrangement included a centrally positioned column that needed to be altered to accommodate the stand development.
A key requirement was to maintain the pitch floodlighting during the stand roof works. This meant the existing floodlights had to be safely removed, the column dismantled and the floodlights subsequently reinstated in revised positions.
The works also required access at height, controlled lowering of the existing column and coordination with the new stadium structure.
Our Approach
SJB Floodlighting developed a method for carrying out the works safely while minimising disruption to the existing lighting system.
The proposed works included:
Preparing a detailed method statement and risk assessment before starting.
Safely isolating the existing floodlighting system.
Using suitable access equipment to reach the existing floodlights.
Removing and safely storing the existing floodlights.
Lowering and dismantling the relevant floodlighting columns.
Removing the existing floodlight control equipment from the column bases.
Modifying the existing cabling infrastructure and providing cable joints where required.
Installing a new enclosure within the stadium for the floodlight control equipment.
Installing new cabling between the control equipment and the relocated floodlights.
Relocating the floodlights onto supporting steelwork provided as part of the stand structure.
Re-aiming the floodlights in accordance with the lighting design.
Lowering the corner columns and realigning their floodlights.
Installing a new control cable between the panel and switch position.
Floodlight Relocation
One of the central elements of the project was relocating the floodlights from the existing column to the new stadium stand roof.
The floodlights were to be installed onto supporting steelwork provided by others, with their positions and aiming determined by the project's computer lighting design.
This allowed the existing sports lighting system to be incorporated into the revised stadium arrangement while maintaining the required lighting configuration.
Electrical Modifications
The project also involved significant modifications to the electrical infrastructure serving the floodlighting system.
A new enclosure was proposed within the stadium to house the floodlight operating control equipment and local switchgear. New cabling would then connect this equipment to the relocated floodlights on the stand roof.
The existing supply cables were to be disconnected from the original column foundations, with cable jointing carried out following exposure of the existing cables and suitable jointing pits.
The completed electrical alterations were to be tested for compliance with BS 7671, with a new Electrical Installation Condition Report provided.
Testing & Commissioning
Following completion of the installation, SJB Floodlighting would function test and commission the system.
Illumination level testing would also be carried out, with a report provided to demonstrate the resulting lighting performance.
The electrical alterations would be tested against the requirements of BS 7671, providing the client with the appropriate electrical certification for the modified installation.
Working at Height & Column Management
The project required specialist handling of the existing floodlighting column.
SJB Floodlighting proposed using its own fully tested column raising and lowering equipment to safely lower the columns. Once lowered, the column could be dismantled into manageable sections.
Project Outcome
The proposed works provided a practical solution for integrating the existing sports floodlighting system with the new stadium stand arrangement.
By relocating the floodlights onto the stand roof and modifying the associated electrical and control infrastructure, the project was designed to accommodate the redevelopment while retaining a functional, tested and compliant sports lighting system.
The completed system would be function tested, commissioned and subject to illumination level testing, with electrical testing and certification completed in accordance with BS 7671.
SJB Floodlighting
This project demonstrates SJB Floodlighting's ability to undertake complex sports floodlighting alterations, including column modification, floodlight relocation, electrical alterations, working at height and lighting testing.
Our approach combines practical site experience with careful planning and electrical compliance, allowing existing sports lighting infrastructure to be adapted to changing site requirements.
