Twickenham Stoop Rugby Stadium (Harlequins)
c. 15,000
Budget
£75,000
Location
SW London, UK
Key Elements
Setting The Scene
Known to most in the rugby football world, the Twickenham Stoop in South-West London is home to the Harlequins Premiership team and of course their fans and visiting players of some 15,000 in number.
Pro Live Ltd started their long relationship with the club when asked to assist with a project installing loudspeakers in the East Stand of the stadium way back in 2015. Subsequently, we became the incumbent supplier to support the installed PA systems and worked with the Club, Sports Presentation Team and Sub-Contractors to successfully manage the upkeep, routine maintenance and development projects as required.
The focus for this particular case study is a project to completely remove and replace the North stand system, and also supplementing the South stand with additional PA towards the rear where intelligibility was weakest. These works came to light through a combination of the results of one of our annual periodic maintenance checks, and Club feedback from some of the regular fans. It was apparent that the oldest elements of the system were tiring and becoming unfit for purpose. We also identified key issues with the old existing system; with the infrastructure and equipment, which were causing a less than engaging experience.
From Proposal to Execution
A proposal was accepted for the North stand speaker system to be completely removed and new loudspeakers were fitted throughout, along with new fire-resistant cables (with a view to future work to make the site system BS EN 54 Voice Alarm compliant). In the South stand new loudspeaker cable infrastructure was introduced, and an additional row of loudspeakers was installed to improve the intelligibility at the back of the South stand. All this was along with new amplification to upgrade the whole stadium seating audio infrastructure and with a site-wide digital fibre networked audio, new network switches and new amplification.
Other elements we have worked on here are the life safety systems, upgraded equipment in the control room and upgraded radio microphones and improved range/coverage for presenters in the field.
The net result has afforded the Premiership Club much better event coverage and a vastly improved experience for fans and visitors to the ground. Everyone has benefited from clear commentary and delivery of announcements during matches, events and corporate hire days. In addition, the equipment and systems now employed are far better integrated which has benefited staff using the equipment, and also when we come to service it. The project came in on time and within budget, which we always strive to achieve. It was also delivered; in fact with a round of applause from staff at the club for our achievements – a first I must say, but very welcome for our hard work!