MINNEAPOLIS – Lighting design for sports facilities often presents challenging design criteria for lighting designers and engineers. Different sports with various lighting needs often take place in the same facility, leading to confusion. In addition, several organizations, such as the NCAA, NBA, and NHL, are responsible for enforcing lighting regulations, with variations in the type of requirements for each. Sports facilities must be designed to satisfy the players, spectators and the media.

John Kirchner, Senior Electrical Engineering Project Leader in Ellerbe Becket's Minneapolis office, will discuss fundamentals of sports lighting at the upcoming Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Twin Cities chapter meeting on March 12, 2003. John has served the IESNA as Chairman of the Sports Lighting Committee and has been designing lighting for arenas and stadia for over 40 years.

Following the meeting, the group will see a live demonstration of sports lighting for NBA basketball as the Minnesota Timberwolves face the San Antonio Spurs. Ellerbe Becket provided architectural and interior design, engineering, and environmental graphics services for the SBC Center, the new home of the Spurs.