Vandal-proof, energy-efficient lights for sports facilities

‘We are all aware criminal elements lurk under the veil of darkness’

THE City of Cape Town is investing nearly R10 million on lighting at its sports facilities as part of an investment in community development.

In many instances, cabling has been stolen at these facilities, plunging them into darkness and restricting playing time to daylight hours, the City said yesterday. The problem had been exacerbated by the shorter days during winter.

The City’s sport, recreation, and amenities department was confident the new lighting system would help bring budding sports enthusiasts back to community facilities.

“The lighting upgrade project forms part of our commitment to ensuring that residents can access their sports facilities safely,” mayoral com- mittee member for community services and special projects Belinda Walker said.

“We are all aware that cowardly criminal elements lurk under the veil of darkness to target facilities and the residents. We are hopeful that the floodlight installations will deter such behaviour and will once again attract residents to enjoy their facilities, either as participants or spectators.”

Because of high levels of vandalism, the City had to be innovative in its approach to the upgrades. For example, conventional floodlight masts required nuts and bolts to attach the poles to the foundation. These nuts and bolts were often vandalised or removed, which resulted in the light pole falling over. The metal was cut up and sold as scrap metal.

The nuts and bolts were also subject to the elements and tended to rust, making the light poles even more vulnerable to vandalism.

The City was using the new “Musco system”, whereby a slip-fit pole was slipped over the foundation so that nuts and bolts were no longer needed. To further protect the flood- light masts, the electrical box was mounted 4m above ground, with no external ladder attached. The new system was also energy-efficient, which would result in savings.

The lighting system used a 1 500W lamp instead of the conventional 2 000W lamp – an immediate 25 percent power saving. The light levels of conventional systems tended to dissipate over their lifespan – known as light depreciation.

The new technology had a revolutionary spill and glare control system to ensure that no light was wasted. The level of lighting would therefore remain effective for 10 years.

While conventional systems carried a one-year warranty, the new system had a 10-year warranty on the entire system, including the lamps, which resulted in savings on maintenance costs.

“This upgrade makes better financial sense, allows for energy saving and helps to prevent vandalism – all while ensuring safer facilities for residents,” Walker said. “I appeal to residents to make maximum use of these facilities. A combination of improved lighting and large groups of people using the facilities is the best deterrent for criminal activity.

“This is a crucial partnership if we are to make progress possible together.”

Report acts of vandalism of infrastructure to either the City’s law enforcement department at 0800 225 669, the call centre at 0860 103 089 or to the local SAPS.