The futuristic £28 million Derby Arena Velodrome, which opened on 20 March 2015, is a stunning 156,000-square-foot arena that stands next to the Ipro Stadium, home of Derby County Football Club. It includes a national standard 250-metre indoor cycling track, a multi-sports arena the size of 13 badminton courts, a gym with 150 stations, group exercise studios, a spinning studio and café.

In a £700,000 contract, Johnson Controls developed an integrated strategy for the audio-visual systems throughout the building. An advanced track timing and display system is among the many audio-visual innovations that were designed, installed and commissioned by Johnson Controls.

“Through a meticulous approach, with regular team meetings, we have delivered a truly integrated system which will help the arena become one of the best-equipped sporting venues in the UK, “ said Steve Waldron, Operations Director for Johnson Controls.

Design, integration and delivery

Johnson Controls set out to optimise the building with innovation solutions, including, bespoke swatch trackside timing system; Daktronics large-format arena display board; Professional PA system using flying line arrays; Multi-point IPTV system, and digital signage.

Steve Waldron, Operations Director for Johnson Controls commented: “Johnson Controls took ownership of the AV scheme, designing, integrating and delivering all of the AV systems as one whole package. Through a meticulous approach, with regular team meetings, we have delivered a truly integrated system, which will help the arena become one of the best-equipped sporting venues in the UK.”

Johnson Controls was able to advise Derby City Council and main contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland, on the scope of the necessary equipment to meet the brief. This highlighted potential issues and delivered a solution that allows the centre to be used for sport or for entertainment purposes, such as concerts.

“Thanks to Johnson Controls, we now have a wide range of innovative and reliable AV facilities to enhance customer’s experience at the venue,” commented Claire Davenport, Director of Leisure and Culture at Derby City Council. “Derby Arena is only the fifth venue in the UK capable of hosting international standard track racing and is already receiving great feedback.”

A UK first timing system

The extensive installation included a bespoke swatch trackside timing system, developed jointly by Johnson Controls and Swiss Timing, and is the first loop track timing system in the UK.

Johnson Controls also overcame various challenges that the arena’s hard surfaces presented in terms of the PA system. “It was a huge space to work with. We created a virtual environment and extensively modelled the system to test the audio solution so that we could see the likely behaviour and where we might need reinforcement,” continued Waldron.

With this latest installation, Johnson Controls builds upon its track record with Derby City Council, as we were also responsible for a large AV system at Derby’s Council House.