New Lighting Approved for Casper Events Center

Casper City Council has signed off on plans to update the lighting system at the city-owned Casper Events Center.

Councilors unanimously approved the $190,000 deal Tuesday night between the city and Casper-based Summit Electric. The firm will be challenged with the installation of new, energy-efficient lighting at the nearly 8,400-seat arena.

Casper vice mayor Charlie Powell says the new system will be a significant step up from the current system, which has been in place since the building opened in the early 1980s.

“Our lighting system – it’s antiquated,” Powell said. “It doesn’t meet current standards. If a facility was built like this today, it would have very different lighting than what our events center currently has.”

Powell also says the new system will increase energy cost savings and will improve overall lighting quality at the arena.

Last year, council approved a $1.2 million deal with Maine-based Hussey Seating for new chairback seating at the events center. The city also unveiled a new website for the arena in January.

Council also recently approved $1.2 million toward construction of a permanent regulation-sized ice rink at the arena.

The city expects the new lights to be installed by August. The lights will be paid for with one-cent sales tax funds.