For the second year running, working closely with the National Boat Show (NBS), Star Events Group was brought in by the Arena Group to supply ExCeL with a complete temporary facility that was fully available from the first day of the exhibition tenancy. This enabled NBS to concentrate fully on the production requirements. This year's challenge for Star Design was to create the foundation for the watersports pool using elements from last year's structure, together with some newly designed components to make the structure easier to level above the rough surface of the car park underneath. An entirely new Heavy Duty jacking system meant that the water depth only varied by 5mm across the whole pool, as opposed to the 50mm variance last year. This decking is designed to withstand loads two and a half times that of a normal stage floor. A split level stage area was spanned by a 28m wide, 2-bay Star Orbit stage roof frame complete with proscenium arch, providing an impressive screen and lighting support which was rigged by Star Rigging.
Star Orbit manager Mike Goodwin commented: "The addition of the Orbit stage provided an excellent focal point for the events taking place, whilst complimenting the overall aesthetics of the Arena Group TFS structure and enabled over 5 tons of equipment to be suspended."
(Lee Baldock)
