LTM Cuts it at Chelmsford Ice & Leisure Centre

2006-11-28

Lift-Turn-Move (LTM) have supplied 8 1-tonne Model L Lodestar hoists for a new lighting installation by Knight International at Riverside Ice & Leisure in Chelmsford, Essex.

The Lodestars are rigged in the roof void and are not visible from below, they are suspending a 45 x 16 metre box truss constructed from Milos M390L heavy duty trussing, complete with 30 Robe moving lights and effects.

Phill Knight has a long standing relationship with LTM's John Jones, from before and after the formation of LTM by Jones and others in 2004 and has always used them to supply Knight's rigging requirements. "You can't beat a Lodestar" he comments, adding, "And you can't beat service from LTM either".

The new lighting rig is part of a technical upgrade at the venue, which features ice disco sessions four times a week, a large annual Festival panto on ice and is also home to the Chelmsford Chieftains Ice Hockey team. The weekly schedule also includes their practice session and games, as well as being open to the public, so it's a hectic schedule.

Knight has worked for Riverside Ice & Leisure's owners Chelmsford Borough Council for several years. When it came time to replace the original rig which had been in residence since it opened 13 years ago, Knight suggested having a rig that could be brought in easily and worked on at ground level for maintenance, re-focussing and swapping fixtures in and out.

This has dramatically accelerated the speed at which maintenance and any necessary changes to the rig can be undertaken. "Putting the Lodestars in has made the whole space and the process of lighting and staging a multi-purpose event far more dynamic, versatile and efficient in terms of production values" he says. He adds that Lodestars are also resilient to the harsh operating conditions in the ice rink which gets quite cold with up to 74% humidity.

LTM also supplied the 8-way motor controller, one of their new Guardian range. LTM's John Jones says, "It's great to be working with a hardcore of loyal clients like Phill who put their money where their mouths are, both in terms of brand and supplier".

Knight confirms that that he will never look for another rigging supplier whilst LTM is around, "Their attention to detail is impressive and they have a completely positive attitude nothing is too much trouble" .. so all things considered, he has exactly the right product for the job supplied by people who care. Since its late 2004 inauguration, LTM has supplied Lodestars to all areas of the professional entertainment and leisure industries. The latest CM hoist is designed specifically for entertainment industry rigging operations, and can either climb its chain or be mounted in an upright configuration.