The Rigging Grid Installation at Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Like many venues across the United States, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, which lies along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is an economic generator for its surrounding community. The venue is nested a stone’s throw away from the beach and entertains more than a ½ million event, festival and concert goers every year.
Since its completion in 1976, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center has been attracting spectators from Baton Rouge to Tallahassee and beyond. Considered a “medium” sized venue with a maximum seating capacity of 10,640 the coliseum can do most any type of event, fair, festival or show.
THE PROBLEM
The coliseum reputation has been known to be a “hard rig”. Over the course of many years the venue listened to continual complaints and criticisms by promoters, touring companies, managers, artists and riggers, that it was just too difficult to rig.
The complaints were consistent, it was too costly to rig, it takes too long to rig and in many cases interrupts the routing and logical flow of many tours. The results of these problems were that this wonderful venue, in this fabulous location was being passed over and missing many revenue opportunities.
THE SOLUTION
Through a BP Restore Act Grant, funding was put in place to allow the upgrade of the coliseum. Having the funding in place was the first part of the equation, now it was about hiring the best group of individuals and companies to do the job right.
They required expert specialists to implement a new grid system and manage the many moving parts of such a project. From the demolition of the old rigging components, design, engineering, materials, the size of the new grid and how it should be implemented into the coliseum were major key issues that needed careful consideration.
The Above “Chapter Links” allow for the immediate jump to specific areas of the Trussumentary Video.
For 25 years Simpkins & Costelli had been assisting the coliseum on engineering, rigging and shows so they were the logical choice to spearhead the initial part of the project. They began by first, better understanding the structural capabilities of the Coliseum.
PROJECT CHALLENGES
With no information from the original coliseum designers the teams were presented with many challenges such as the fundamental question of determining the weight capacity of the steel framed structure. After key analysis and structural modeling of the domed roof, the team now looked at the kinds of shows they wished to attract and have in the venues from a rigging perspective (the “heavy” shows). At this time they called on XSF truss to bring their years of expertise and knowledge of Arena , Stadium and Dome Grids to their project. Simply put – The Coliseum needed to change from what was a 2-day load in to a 1 day load-in.
Large show productions need to come in the morning, have the show rigged by midafternoon with everything ready well before the doors open. After the show is done, they load out “and they’re gone!”
Taking in all the complications of this particular venue, XSF was able to present an aluminum grid solution that the Coliseum knew would provide the right solution and exceeded all expectations.
Creating a larger Arena grid system would allow the load weight to be spread over a larger area.
The design and fabrication of the grid also allowed an enormous amount of possible rig points for the show riggers. The new Grid would provide all the favored preferences for all the bigger shows.
A single level grid with available truss in every direction across a large area is a riggers dream. They can come into a facility that they are not familiar with, quickly assess the job and get to work. Professional riggers love working on an arena grid system setup; it’s easy and allows them to do their job quickly and efficiently. The shows will go up quickly and come down quickly.
After all the analysis, engineering, designing, shop drawings, load ratings, grid size, truss sizes (and a host of other items) were determined, the team at XSF went to work fabricating, test fitting and powder coating the grid in their facility in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
XSF implemented an efficient step process of fabrication, test fitting, powder coating and shipping to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum until the entire grid system lie ready for installation. In February of 2020 all of the companies came together at the facility to install the truss grid system.
I was just very impressed with the quality of the materials, the welds.. I was very pleased with the quality of the work.
“The upgrade has so many positives that are affected”
“The new grid saves money, saves time and makes for a better experience for everyone at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum”
See the time-lapse installation video on the Grid and Catwalk Installation
THE RESULT
The Mississippi Coast Coliseum is no longer the Coliseum of old and the staff there are very proud! It is a different, rejuvenated facility and they want everyone to know it. “We are not the old school 1977 facility anymore”. With their new modern arena grid system now in place, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum team is excited about the future and attracting the new and larger shows.
The right upgrade has changed what was once old and dated to something new and the talk of the town again.
The staff at the coliseum are excited about being a facility that tour crews will now look forward to come into, a facility that shows will be excited about their work, knowing it’s just a simple ” in and out”.
The A Stage alone is capable of 120,000 pounds with added capacity from the Center and B Stage supports. The 2 black powder-coated grids are positioned between 3 catwalks. This was a fine technical detail that required expert implementation to get right.
We encourage you to meet the people involved in this project and see the technical hurdles that had to be overcome in “A Trussumentary”. Digital Base, a film production company from Lubbock Texas followed and documented the entire installation
We at XSF Truss could not be happier for everyone at the Coast Coliseum as well as all the companies and crew that worked on this exciting and rewarding project.
A MESSAGE ABOUT THE CURRENT CRISIS FOR MANY VENUES ACROSS THE US
Right now the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and many other Stadiums, Arenas, Theaters and Venues are struggling due to COVID 19. Many will and are going out of business. These venues are economic generators for thousands of restaurants, bars and business employees around the world. We ask that you take the time to assist these important pieces of our community.
Please visit saveourstages.com and help these important venues through these difficult times. They were the first to be closed and will likely be the last to open.