Upgrades coming to MassMutual Center

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) is underway with a more than $3.2-million technology upgrade at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., to replace and enhance existing digital displays and lighting both in the arena and outside of the facility.

The digital display upgrades are part of a four-phase program that includes a replacement of the MassMutual Center arena scoreboard, digital banner displays throughout the arena, at least one new outdoor marquee, and a new content management system that will allow for synchronized content across all new digital signs. In addition, the Authority will invest an estimated $500,000 in significant lighting upgrades to the arena. These displays will not only offer vibrant, engaging content to visitors, but also important sponsorship and advertising opportunities.

“This strategic investment in the MassMutual Center is not only in-line with the MCCA’s vision of providing visitors a technologically superior experience at all of the facilities we oversee, but also coincides with MGM’s investment in Springfield with the building of a casino adjacent to the MassMutual Center,” said James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA. “The MCCA, Mayor Domenic Sarno, the City of Springfield, MGM and Spectra Venue Management are working together to enhance the MassMutual Center and downtown Springfield, providing a better experience to local fans, guests, and visitors from across the country and bolstering the economic activity of the area.”

The existing arena scoreboard will be replaced with a new, center-hung, cutting-edge video display made by Daktronics – the world’s industry leader in designing and manufacturing electronic scoreboards, programmable display systems and large screen video displays. The new scoreboard display will more than double the size of the existing center-screen live program feed, ensuring great sightlines for every attendee in the arena and providing a more dynamic game, concert, and general spectator experience. In addition, the new display will allow for further advertising and branding opportunities, and can more easily be disassembled to accommodate an event that requires the display to be removed.

The scoreboard is scheduled to be installed this summer with a completion in time for the first home game of the Springfield Falcons’ upcoming season.

The new content management system will be developed by ColosseoEAS, an international firm that specializes in integrated systems for multimedia displays. The content system will serve as a single platform for all aspects of digital media throughout the center, including integrating the new scoreboard timing and scoring systems and pushing content to displays throughout the complex. This system will be in place when the new scoreboard goes live.

In addition to the new scoreboard, the MCCA will also invest in 15 segmented ribbon displays to be installed throughout the stands in the arena and at last one new outdoor digital marquee. The banner displays will define entryways and provide unique and dynamic scrolling content. The outdoor marquee will advertise upcoming events, provide a digital welcome to MassMutual Center visitors and hopefully become a distinguishing part of the downtown Springfield landscape, similar to the award-winning digital marquee located at the MCCA’s Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Both the interior and outdoor displays will also provide ample opportunity for advertising sponsorships and branding. These two digital signage projects are scheduled to be complete in late 2016.

In the future, the MCCA also plans to add digital displays throughout the convention center to complement the outdoor and arena digital signage initiatives.

The Authority will also invest an estimated $500,000 in arena lighting upgrades to improve performance and enhance the fan experience. The new LED lighting will be quiet, energy efficient and capable of being dimmed, allowing for superior lighting control and further contributing to energy efficiency. In addition, the new lighting will provide better vertical and horizontal illumination for sporting events, shows, and concerts, with brighter, more uniform color rendition. The dimming capabilities allow for different lighting scenarios to be displayed throughout the arena which will change and enrich the overall atmosphere, such as focused spotlights on players, flashing when goals are scored, and energetic light patterns. The project commenced in early June and will be completed by mid-August.