Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham

Having carried out the installation of the Fire and Security systems in 2015, GBE Converge were appointed by Integral UK Ltd to carry out the Maintenance and Support of the installed systems, in addition to the site-wide Fire Alarm systems for The Jockey Club at the Racecourse.

GBE Converge Sales Manager John Thornley commented “This is an important further development in our relationship with Integral and the Jockey Club and our team is delighted to be working at such an exciting venue.”

The Jockey Club’s £45m redevelopment of its flagship Racecourse at Cheltenham is fully underway with many of the areas complete outside of the main grandstand. The re-development will increase capacity and provide state-of-the-art facilities and includes the demolition of the current royal box, which was built in 1952, and 55 other boxes built in the 1920s and 1930s.

GBE Converge have been appointed as part of the re-development programme by CF Roberts. The scope of works includes the design, installation and commissioning of the new internal PA/VA system and external PA system, disabled refuge and WC alarms, fire detection and alarm system and internal and external CCTV.

The Jockey Club’s objective is to have a PA/VA system that provides state-of-the-art evacuation messages throughout the venue and sound reinforcement for the comprehensive AV system. The key challenge was to design a PA/VA system that could integrate with the AV equipment to provide sound reinforcement to the large number of different zones within the new building.

GBE Converge specified Baldwin Boxall’s Vigil 2 PA/VA system. As Gold Status Customers GBE Converge have been working with Baldwin Boxall for over 10 years and were confident their equipment, which they manufacture, would achieve the high level of technicality and quality needed.

For the external PA system which encompassed the parade ring, new screen area and ancillary areas, the design requirements were more complex due to the expansive layout of the venue and the high quality of sound output needed. GBE Converge carried out extensive acoustic modelling to achieve the optimum design and specified performance specific speakers supplied by Bosch, Community and Funktion One.

For the fire detection and alarm equipment GBE Converge specified Gent’s Vigilon analogue addressable system. As well as providing the user with clear, comprehensive information in the event of a fire, Vigilon additionally provides an entire historic log of the system’s management information.

The high performance internal and External CCTV system was designed and engineered by GBE Converge with American Dynamics Network Video Recorders (NVR) installed in the new grandstand, cash office and bar areas. The IP infrastructure running the NVRs connects with the existing 30 CCTV cameras originally installed on the site.

As GBE Converge Business Development Manager Paul Walsh said “The level of service we have received from all our partners on this project from sales through to service is industry leading. It allows us to have absolute confidence in performing on a high profile project like Cheltenham Racecourse.”

One of the challenges on this project for GBE Converge is that all installation works are being undertaken whilst the racecourse is still functioning which calls for well-organised programming and disciplined working. Works are continuing and are due to be completed during the summer of 2015.

Key Project Facts