With skateboarding being the most recent addition to the Olympic Games schedule, the sport has seen a global rise in popularity – no more so than in the UK.
Once such location hoping to take advantage of this uptake is the Mount Hawke Skatepark in Truro, Cornwall – looking to become a National Skateboarding Hub. This certifies the skatepark as compliant with all Skateboard GB standards, delivering the very best experience for skaters and visitors.
Mount Hawke was first established in 1996 and was refitted in 2016. However, to ensure that the facility was safe, provided good visual conditions and was aesthetically enhanced, the outdated lighting needed to be upgraded.
Ciaran Ryder, Centre Manager, commented, “Our aim was to bring the site up to the benchmark standard. With the sport moving so quickly into the mainstream, we needed to make sure Mount Hawke was providing the best facility for our visitors.”
Extreme Sports Lighting
Mount Hawke set about replacing the existing sodium fittings with modern LED solutions. Tamlite Lighting were selected to deliver an upgraded lighting system, specifying the versatile EXPO luminaire with a wide beam optic.
This dramatically enhanced the lux levels throughout the site, in line with BS EN 12193:2018, ensuring there was enough illumination for riders to see where they were going. Another crucial aspect of the lighting upgrade was the improved uniformity: the wide beam EXPO ensures that light is pushed only where it needs to go, minimising shadowing and improving safety for skaters.
With skaters travelling at high speeds, and pulling off extreme tricks, it's crucial that their focus and concentration is not impacted by glare or dark spots on the ground. The enhanced safety for skaters is a fundamental way in which Mount Hawke can stand out as a National Skateboarding Hub.
Another benefit for Mount Hawke was the stunning visual aesthetic that the park now delivered. The radically enhanced level of illumination with high-CRI EXPO luminaires makes the park look spectacular – a massive attraction for new visitors.
Ciaran Ryder said, “The new lights look stunning – as we are open until late at night, you can particularly see the difference with the LED fittings. I know it's a cliché, but it really makes the place pop!”
Taking photos and videos of skaters is a huge part of the sport – getting up close to record high quality footage and images. The new lighting now plays a massive part in that, allowing photographers to get vastly improved shots of skaters, due to increased visibility and uniformity of the light.
Working Towards Net-Zero Goals
As with everyone around the globe, Mount Hawke is looking to reduce its carbon emissions and move towards its net-zero goals.
The switch from sodium lamp sources to LED lighting delivers significant benefits in terms of energy savings for Mount Hawke – which aligns with their ongoing green policies to create a more sustainable facility.
For more information on our range of sports lighting solutions, take a look at our case studies, or contact our team.
