Professional Lighting & Production - Spring 2018 | Page 33

they went ahead with the purchase and simply had Van
der Zwaag, a local machine shop in Waterloo, do some
trimming. “It’s worth mentioning that their helpful ad-
vice and quick turnaround times for other parts of the
install were crucial to our success,” offers Hynes.
“They also did a great job of building back boxes
and custom mounting hardware for different locations
throughout the theatre,” Lukings adds, “where there
may have been a traditional fixture from the ‘80s that
had a completely different type of housing.”
Control for the new package comes via ETC’s Para-
digm platform – “a very powerful system,” according to
Hynes. “It’s the ideal solution for what we were after. It’s
very user-friendly, all touch screen control, with a touch
screen in the booth and a button panel at reception,
so we have absolute control even without using the
lighting console.”
The older Strand Light Palette console at FOH
doesn’t output sACN, so Horizon’s Chris McEwen, who
handled the majority of the Paradigm programming,
built a Net3 bridge for seamless operation. “He was bril-
liant in getting this done and coming up with workable
solutions,” Hynes offers. “We’re almost three months
into our season now, and knock on wood, it’s been as
stable as can be.”
McEwen is an ETC-certified technician for both
design and commissioning and worked closely with
Hynes and his team to come up with some unique de-
sign solutions, specifically for backup and redundancy
within the system.
The solution also employs ETC’s Unison Echo Relay
panels for power distribution. “We needed to be able
to shut off the power to these fixtures entirely,” Lukings
explains. “Sure, LEDs are supposed to last forever, but
the power supplies won’t. Installing Echo Relay panels
to control the complete shut-down of all of those fix-
tures was a key element, and should be a key element
in any house light project – or really, any LED project.”
The solution also allows Hynes to dim the few fixtures
that were incorporated from outside of the ETC family
with a good curve.
Hynes describes the user experience for the new
system and control platform as “totally fabulous.” “The
quality of light is wonderful, they’re nice and bright,
high CRI – it’s a very consistent and even light, and
even maintains a warmth that’s sometimes lost with
LEDs,” he adds.
Much of the positive commentary on the system has
come from members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Sympho-
ny. “The musicians are thrilled,” Hynes shares excitedly.
“I’ve heard nothing but positive comments from them
about being able to read their music without any issue.”
But the most glowing of all feedback is entirely
numerical. “With the switch to LED, and we haven’t
actually done the formal tally yet, but based on the
specs, we’re seeing as much as an 85 per cent reduction
in energy use,” Hynes shares. “That’s just huge.”
Hynes adds that he and the venue benefitted great-
ly from the assistance of Kitchener Wilmot Hydro and
Save on Energy, which is offering a substantial rebate
for the greatly-reduced energy consumption.
While the professional relationship between Lukings
and Hynes dates back several years, this project marked
their first formal collaboration.
“I’m so happy with those guys,” Hynes enthuses. “Of
all of the companies we’ve ever dealt with, they’re one
of the best. They’re quick to get back to me, quick with
problem solving – not that we had many – and were
just on top of everything.”
Lukings shares the praise further up the flagpole,
with both CETEC Group and ETC. “We receive great
support from both. We work all the time with Michael
[Harris] on different projects and he’s always more than
helpful. With that sort of relationship, it’s hard to go
wrong.”
Being based in London, ON, and servicing a fairly
wide radius west of the GTA, Horizon takes pride in
having ETC-certified technicians on hand. Lukings
notes that three members of Horizon’s installation team
handled the final sign-offs on behalf of ETC at the end
of the summer, leading right into Centre In The Square’s
packed 2017-18 season and a public open house in
early October to show off the auditorium’s new look.
The timing on the completion and commissioning
really couldn’t have been better from a storytelling
point of view. Hynes retired at the very end of 2017,
capping off a 30-plus year career at Centre In The
Square. His longtime assistant, Michael MacLean, has
taken over the position, though seeing this project
through to completion was important to Hynes.
“This was sort of my legacy,” Hynes says with an air
of humility. “I’ve been looking to get an LED solution in
place here for several years, so it means a lot to have it
come together and hear such great feedback about it.”
As patrons and performers visit The Centre In The
Square over the course of its current season, they’re
sure to appreciate the new sheen on this longstanding
and long-loved auditorium – even if they’re unaware of
the behind-the-scenes benefits that come with it.
Andrew King is the Editor-in-Chief of Professional
Lighting & Production.
Spring 2018 | 33