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A bigger, better scoreboard will greet London Knights fans when they return this fall to Budweiser Gardens, an upgrade more than four years in the making for the downtown arena.
The four-sided structure, expected to be raised above centre-ice in two weeks, is the “first of its kind” according to the designer.
“It’s the biggest one that we’ve ever done,” said Chris Milne, mechanical designer at OES Inc., a London-based scoreboard manufacturer.
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The project has been more than four years in the making and Milne says he went through multiple concepts before arriving at the final design.
“(The arena) wanted it to be as big as it as it could be,” Milne said, describing his objective to “maximize everything” while adhering to size and weight restrictions.
Weighing in at around 5,440 kilograms with a wrap-around surface area of 132 square metres, Milne said the board is “unique” for both its size and an enhanced video quality.
“It’s going to be like watching in real (high definition),” he said.
During a sports game, different areas of the board can be programmed to show a virtual scoreboard, video replays and advertisements, Milne said, noting the structure can be utilized for all kinds of events, including concerts.
There also will be a new “halo” above the scoreboard, a ring-like structure into which the scoreboard can be raised, Milne said.
A spokesperson for Budweiser Gardens said the arena is “thrilled” about the upgrade they say will “redefine the fan experience,” adding the upgrade is part of the arena’s vision to “establish the arena as a premier destination in our region.”
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The total cost for the arena’s digital signage upgrades is $1.8 million, which includes the scoreboard and other digital signs, the spokesperson said.
OES Inc. is a London-based company that has been manufacturing scoreboards and video displays for all levels of sport for more than 40 years. It also makes quality control devices for the automotive manufacturing market and circuit boards for different manufacturers, including Trojan, General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and the local hospital bed manufacturer, Stryker.
On Wednesday afternoon, Milne was supervising building of the scoreboard on the floor of the arena, with a two-week deadline to get the project completed.
Milne, who is from London, said it’s “exciting” to design the scoreboard for his home city’s arena, and while having his designs up all over Canada and the U.S. is “a great feeling,” having one up in his hometown is “even better.”
“That’s icing on the cake,” he said.
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