SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA--Following the 2000 Olympics, Sydney, Australia now boasts three major international standard stadiums for major sporting events; Sydney Olympic Park (now the ANZ Stadium), Sydney Football Stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground.
However, the city's facilities cater equally well for local and national needs with several "boutique" sporting venues to host local events such as home games for the National Rugby League (NRL) competition.
One such facility is Toyota Stadium in the southern beachside suburbs of Sydney. Home of the Cronulla Sharks, Toyota Stadium commenced a $9 million plus upgrade in 2007, including the addition of a southern stand and renovations to the existing east and west stands. The ground has the capacity for over 22,000 fans.
Situated on the southern shores of Port Hacking, the facility is exposed to northeasterly winds off the Pacific Ocean and, according to Greg de Vries, managing director of Saltec, "The choice of Community R and WET Series loudspeakers was automatic. Because of the location we needed a loudspeaker that could withstand the rigors of salt air and the elements, and give good balanced audio throughout the facility."
"For several reasons we were unable to fully utilize the stands for loudspeaker mounting so pole mounted speakers were selected in several areas." Saltec worked with Tony Russo, a Director of the Technical Audio Group (Australia and New Zealand distributors of Community) on the design of the system.
The thirty-one Community R.5–99TZ, eighteen R.5–94TZ and ten W2–218T loudspeakers are powered by ten QSC CX1202V amplifiers and a QSC Basis 914lz was used for system control. Audio-Technica ATW3000 wireless systems are used for ground announcements.
Saltec is a leading audio-visual installation company in Sydney, and works extensively in the design and supply of audio and video systems into clubs and hotels. Greg de Vries commented that he was extremely happy with his move into sporting facility installations and his client, the Cronulla Rugby League Club, was delighted with the completed project.
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