Lee Valley Velopark, UK

High-performance technology for high-performance athletes

Working together with BDP Lighting, Elcom and our sister brand Zumtobel, we at Thorn were proud to provide a high-performance solution for Lee Valley VeloPark, delivering 50% energy reduction and cost savings – all in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

The iconic building was initially designed by Hopkins Architects for the 2012 OlympicGames and later repurposed as Lee Valley VeloPark. At ten years old, the previous metal-halide lighting system was outdated, so replacements were sought to improve system efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and allow better control options. 

Lee Valley VeloPark is also used for exhibitions, conferences and private hire, adding in another requirement for the lighting. The Zumtobel Group's sports lighting team held all the answers. 

Luke Smith-Wightman, design consultant for BDP, explains, “Amongst strongcompetition, the Zumtobel Group Lighting brands Thorn and Zumtobel’s solution stoodout for its performance, technical design service and approach to client care.Hundreds of high-power sports projectors and downlights were delivered to a tightschedule, and the company ensured that technicians were available at short notice tooversee the critical adjustments needed to fine-tune the aiming of luminaires." 

Overcoming the challenges of specialist sports, Martin Lee, Key Account Manager at Zumtobel Group, comments, "The building wasdesigned with great aesthetics. However, they did not lend to best lighting practices.The lighting points were already predetermined, so we had to design our scheme tosatisfy the brief from the client, BDP lighting, the Union Cycliste Internationalerecommendations and guidance, and achieve the broadcast specification. Adistinctchallenge was the short project deadline especially given the global supply chain issuesaffecting all industries – we overcame it all with a fantastic team effort from all partiesinvolved." 

The original scheme consisted of 371 metal halide luminaires with a total energy loadof 368 kW. Switching light levels for specific competitions was complicated. With nodimming system in place, the venue could only switch off banks of projectors.The new scheme uses a mix of 276 of Thorn’s Altis and Zumtobel’s CRAFT IIPerformance luminaires, with an overall energy load of 185kW – 50% less than theoriginal. 

Furthermore, the floodlights use DMX and DALI control, meaning each luminaire canbe individually switched and dimmed. Meeting broadcasting standards, the newluminaires are also flicker-free. This achieves precise control of the light levels on thetrack, improving conditions for cyclists, spectators and TV cameras.What's more, the DMX control gear in the Altis projectors also caters to event lightingrequirements, creating atmosphere, drama and excitement. 

As part of the project, downlights in the concourse area, bathrooms and stairwayswere also replaced. Thorn’s Cetus 3 downlights were installed on a 1-2-1 replacement, using the same ceiling cut-outs,avoiding the need for labour and time costs. 

The downlight installation reduced the connected energy load by 50% from 20kW to10kW, improving the spectral quality of light, and eliminating the need for regular lampchanges (which was approx. 20 per month).Reportedly, cost savings from the project (including energy, replacement lamps, andlamp change labour) will amount to £100k after ten years. 

Luke Smith-Wightman, concludes, "Compared to the previous system, the new schemedelivers a much-improved quality of light, less glare, DMX dimming, eliminates lampchanges and has reduced electrical load by 50%. Overall, it has been a successfulupgrade, ensuring Lee Valley VeloPark remains a premier venue hosting cyclingcompetitions at the highest level." 

For more information about Lee Valley VeloPark, please visit:

• https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/velopark