Author: Planar
partner: Anuvision Technologies
featured products: led video walls & outdoor led solutions
University of Tampa Installs Planar Outdoor LED Video Wall in New Aquatic Center
Project Overview
The University of Tampa (UT) recently completed an expansion of a fitness and recreation center in the heart of campus that included the addition of a new aquatic center with an outdoor, competition-sized pool, recreational pool and hot tub. The aquatic center is the new home to the UT men’s and women’s NCAA swim teams, and to support swim meets, a Planar outdoor LED video wall in a 10x6 configuration was installed in the pool area. The Planar outdoor LED solution helps elevate the swim programs while increasing the visibility of meets. Additionally, the new LED display is anticipated to help with UT’s athletic recruiting while also playing into the overall student experience by creating a ‘wow factor’ in the space.
The University of Tampa (UT) recently completed an expansion of a fitness and recreation center, adding new state-of-the-art amenities in the heart of campus. Renamed the Benson Alex Riseman Fitness and Recreation Center, the updated 130,000-square-foot facility includes exercise and workout rooms, teaching and research facilities as well as basketball and beach volleyball courts. The expansion project also included a new aquatic center—the Benson Alex Riseman Aquatic Center—featuring an outdoor, competition-sized pool along with a recreational pool, hot tub and an adjacent, two-story pool building.
To supply audio visual solutions throughout the new fitness and recreation center, UT engaged technology integrator Anuvision Technologies. The aquatic center is the new home to the UT men’s and women’s NCAA swim teams. Originally, a digital scoreboard was specified for the pool area to support swim meets, but that plan changed when UT started looking into different options that were more innovative.
“The University wanted something more versatile,” said, Anuvision Technologies CEO, Summer Vyne. “With a video wall, they would have opportunities for digital signage, student communications or doing things like movie nights. And during swim competitions, instead of just a name and a score, they could also show videos or bios of each athlete.”
Vyne contacted Planar and learned there was fast availability of a product that would work with their shortened timeline. “It was an extremely quick turnaround, but Planar committed to it and delivered what we needed in time,” Vyne said. “We then had a very short window to get the video wall up and tested and so two Planar representatives came out to help with the installation for meeting our deadline.”
With the project complete, the new video wall—a 16-foot-by-10-foot Planar Outdoor LED Video wall with a 3.9 mm pixel pitch—was ready for UT to show a video produced for the grand opening thanking the donor behind the entire project, Benson Alex Riseman, who was on hand for the ceremony.
“The Planar LED solution exceeded all of my expectations. It looks great and performs very well even in the bright sunlight.”
Enhancing the value of the pool facilities
From an athletic perspective, the Planar outdoor LED video wall helps elevate the swim programs while increasing the visibility of meets, according to Steven Carroll, UT assistant vice president of IT operations. “The LED display really stands out—we can show replays and the picture is bright, crisp and easily visible from multiple angles,” he said.
Carroll also believes the Planar LED solution will play into their recruiting efforts. “When student athletes visit on recruitment trips, it’s definitely something for improving their view of the facilities where they will train,” he said. “There is an added value that it brings to the pool complex.”
And, walking into the pool area, Carroll said the Planar outdoor LED display simply looks stunning.
“We want to provide the very best at the University and the new video wall really plays into the overall student experience—it creates a ‘wow factor’ in the space.”
“This project wouldn’t be possible without the vision of Tammy Loper, vice president of information technology and security, UT President Ron Vaughn, and the generous support from donors, particularly Benson Riseman.”
