Pakenham Racecourse floodlighting

Gordon McKay successfully designed and installed a new lighting management system at Victoria’s Pakenham Racing Club.

This system was specifically engineered to satisfy the rigorous demands of various stakeholders, including riders, horses, viewing patrons, and local and external TV broadcasters, all crucial for night racing events. Notably, Gordon McKay delivered an alternative solution to the initial design, achieving an approximate 40% reduction in the overall projected cost without compromising the final outcome.

The Pakenham Racing Club’s two racetracks are now illuminated by a sophisticated lighting system. This system comprises 56 lighting masts, varying in height from 12 to 40 meters, strategically erected within the infield and around the course. These masts support a total of 1,190 2kW floodlights, amounting to a substantial 2.38 megawatts of lighting power.

The entire lighting infrastructure is powered by four generators and managed through 58 control panels. The installation also involved the commissioning of 150,000 meters of electrical cabling. A computer-based SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system centrally controls both the lighting infrastructure and the generators, ensuring efficient and precise operation.

NECA recognised Gordon McKay as one of Australia’s best electrical contractors by winning a national excellence award for this project.