Renovation and Led lighting system for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome will be officially lit with new LED lighting system on October 20 2011, illuminating the outside of the 36-year iconic stadium in a spectrum of animated colors and images.

According to the media New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, Superdome commission Chairman Ron Forman and SMG Senior Vice President Doug Thornton will host a free-to-the-public lighting ceremony to showcase the capabilities of the $1.6 million permanent system that will be set to a musical soundtrack.

In June, the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District -- the board appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal to plan, finance, construct, develop, maintain and operate six state-owned facilities including the Superdome and the New Orleans Arena -- voted to approve the LED lighting system, which was paid for out of the recently completed $85 million renovation budget.

Although the price tag seems costly, Dome officials told LSED members at its June meeting that it will save money over the long haul because it'll reduce the cost of the monthly energy bill.
The entire system, when operating in one color, draws only 10 kilowatts of electricity -- the equivalent amount of energy used by a small home. When operated six hours per day every day of the year, no lights will need to be replaced until 2057, according to Dome officials.