1300SMILES Stadium chooses Techtel to upgrade big screen for Cowboys

Australia’s leading independent broadcast and enterprise audio visual integrator, Techtel, congratulates the North Queensland Cowboys on their momentous NRL Grand Final 2015 victory.

In early 2015, Techtel was chosen from a field of contenders to supply, design and construct a new scoreboard at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville, home of the North Queensland Cowboys. The project involved the removal of an older scoreboard on the Northern Stand which was replaced with a new, full colour LED scoreboard designed for all weather conditions. As part of the project Techtel was also required to install a scoreboard computer system that would supply the screen with match statistics, clocks and advertising.

Crucial to the project's success was the design and construction of the scoreboard frame, built in Townsville to exacting specifications and then craned into place for a perfect fit with the stadium support structures. The steel frame received a special treatment to protect the screen against the harsh North Queensland elements and to match existing fixtures throughout the stadium.

The LED screen, manufactured by Absen, uses DIP P10 LED technology that can produce an impressive brightness of up to 7000 nits. The screen is fully front-serviceable, as required by the stadium to ensure easy maintenance in the future. A smart power controller is connected to the stadium LAN which allows for PC control and monitoring of the screen’s power supply and ventilation system, giving the stadium total confidence that the system is operating normally.

The Scoreline™ computer system, manufactured by Pump Interactive, provides the stadium with a PC console to operate all screen graphics. Scoreline™ integrates with the match field statistics to offer the stadium an array of information that can be displayed on the screen to accompany the match clock and current game score.

Glenn Arboit, Manager, 1300SMILES Stadium  said “We needed to ensure that the screen upgrade met the requirements of hirers including the Cowboys but most importantly we wanted to make sure the fans enjoy a better product and experience at the game. On all counts we feel that we’ve successfully met the aims of this project and we’re very happy with the end product delivered”.

“Although only a small screen, this project has offered all the same challenges we face with any larger screen installation in the tropics”, commented Mal Chandler, Head of Sales at Techtel. “We’re very proud of the successful implementation and even more pleased to have been involved with the stadium and the Cowboys during their premiership season”.

The 1300Smiles Stadium LED screen was installed in July 2015, enhancing the at-game experience for fans at the last five home games of the Cowboys’ 2015 NRL season.