Case study
Accor Stadium Lighting Upgrade – Case Study
How CSI and the Specialised Tradies network delivered a complex stadium lighting upgrade safely and ahead of schedule.
Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park needed a major lighting upgrade. The existing metal halide sports lights were more than two decades old and due for replacement with modern, energy-efficient LED fittings. Through Specialised Tradies, Crane Service Industries (CSI) were engaged by Stowe Australia to deliver the specialist rigging works required to dismantle the old lights and safely lift the new LED systems into place – all within a tight 11-day window.
Objective
The project objective was to safely dismantle and remove 566 aging metal halide lights that had been in service for around 22 years, and replace them with a new LED sports-lighting system within a tight 11-day program. The work had to be completed at height across the stadium gantries without compromising safety, while coordinating with other trades and stadium operations.
Key challenges
Safety at height: The work required extensive time on the stadium gantries, handling heavy lighting assemblies and rigging equipment above the field of play. Safety systems and procedures had to be flawless.
Technical and engineering complexity: The team needed a lifting system that was both safe and flexible. The solution had to be engineered, checked and approved by both CSI’s engineer and the stadium’s engineer.
Tight program: With only 11 days allowed in the lift window, delays would have quickly cascaded into overtime, re-scheduling and increased costs for everyone involved.
Cost and efficiency pressure: Stowe needed a partner who could minimise labour days on site, reduce waste and avoid costly variations, while still delivering best-practice safety outcomes.
Engineering a safer, smarter lifting system
When CSI reviewed the scope, they compared a range of possible rigging techniques. The team concluded that the safest and most efficient approach was to design a custom davit-arm lifting system that could be mounted anywhere along the stadium gantries and paired with an electric winch.
This approach meant every lift and lower of the lighting assemblies could be carried out in a controlled and repeatable way. CSI’s engineer designed the davit arm and then worked with the stadium’s engineer to check reactions, loads and attachment points on the gantry structure. Only once both engineers were satisfied were the final general-arrangement drawings signed off and sent to fabrication.
The result was a purpose-built lifting system that integrated cleanly with the stadium’s vertical lifting requirements, giving the riggers a tool that was both safe and fast to work with.
“Because of the way we engineered the lifting system, we were able to build momentum early – test-fitting all the davit arms, winches and rigging gear up front. That momentum let the team fly through the job without issues and still finish ahead of the schedule.”
– Mick Cowling, Managing Director, CSI
Planning, execution and site methodology
Planning
Before the main lift window even began, CSI organised and test-fitted the entire system – davit arms, winches, rigging hardware and safety equipment. This pre-work allowed the team to identify and solve potential issues early, cross-check engineering details, and ensure every piece of equipment was ready to go.
This up-front planning phase was critical. It meant that once the clock started on the 11-day program, the riggers could focus purely on safe, efficient execution – not last-minute problem-solving.
On-site execution
CSI deployed a team of 16 riggers, split into four crews of four people. Each crew was responsible for one quadrant of the stadium – North-East, South-East, North-West and South-West.
Every crew was equipped with the required hand tools, rigging gear, radios and safety equipment. The teams worked methodically through their sections, dismantling the old metal halide lights, lowering them in a controlled manner using the davit-arm system, and then assisting with lifting and positioning the new LED fittings and tower lights.
Because the system had been engineered and tested properly, the teams were able to move quickly while still maintaining strict safety standards. Minor engineering adjustments could be made and implemented on the same day – something many organisations can’t achieve, even with their own engineers.
Outcomes and benefits
Ahead of schedule
The program allowed 11 days to complete the lifting work. CSI finished in just 7 days, giving Stowe and the stadium several days of buffer and reducing onsite labour costs.
Direct and indirect cost savings
Finishing early cut direct labour costs by multiple days and reduced indirect costs such as site overheads, coordination time and schedule pressure on other trades.
Safety first
With experienced riggers, a carefully engineered lifting system and thorough planning, the project recorded no safety incidents. High-risk work at height was carried out in a controlled, repeatable way.
Technical quality
The custom davit-arm solution meant lifting and lowering operations were smooth, predictable and aligned with engineering requirements, giving both CSI and the client confidence in the integrity of the installation.
Flexibility and collaboration
CSI were able to adapt to changes as the project progressed, working with Stowe and the stadium team on necessary adjustments without fuss or unnecessary variation claims.
What the client said
– Cameron Zieba, Project Manager, Stowe Australia Pty Ltd.“Mick and his team were engaged by Stowe Australia to perform lifting and hoisting for the new sports lighting installed at Stadium Australia. Mick engineered custom lifting jigs that allowed the new lights to be raised into position safely and efficiently.
The program allowed an 11-day lift window, and Mick’s team completed the work in just 7 days. It’s a pleasure to work with a crew that consistently aims for the best outcome and applies themselves to achieve it. We would not hesitate to engage Mick and his team again for future specialised lifting and hoisting requirements.”
How Specialised Tradies fits into the story
CSI are experts at lifting and rigging – but even the best specialists need a steady pipeline of the right jobs. Specialised Tradies helped connect CSI with the type of work they do best: technically demanding, safety-critical lifting and rigging on major commercial projects like Accor Stadium.
Instead of relying purely on word of mouth or slow tender processes, the Specialised Tradies platform made the job-getting part smooth and easy – like having a fully automated professional salesperson out there working to match CSI with the right opportunities.
For Stowe and Stadiums Australia, that meant quick access to a vetted specialist team with the skills and experience to deliver a complex upgrade safely and ahead of schedule.
“Specialised Tradies made getting this job smooth and easy – like having a fully automated professional salesperson working to line up the right work for us.”
– Mick Cowling, Managing Director, CSI
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