Total 5-Year Savings:
$45K+Annual Savings:
$9KThe Backstory of The St. Kitts Marriott Court Lighting Project
Shawn Fillier, Procurement and Logistics Manager at St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, reached out to LED Lighting Supply regarding a lighting project.
The resort was seeking support for relighting its aging outdoor sports court system. The existing 1000-watt metal-halide fixtures illuminating the court area were failing, and inconsistent light levels prevented guests from using the courts after dark.
The resort needed a lighting solution to properly illuminate the tennis, basketball, and pickleball court areas while working within a set budget. The customer handled procurement directly, coordinated freight into St. Kitts, and made the final decision on light fixture selection.
The Challenge of a Resort Sports Court Lighting Upgrade
The enclosed court area covers roughly 120 by 150 feet. It holds two regulation tennis courts plus a shared half-court used for basketball and pickleball. Metal halide lighting loses a large share of its output over its life. The customer explained that the metal halides were over 20 years old. This means they were producing a fraction of their original light while still pulling full wattage.
The legacy light fixtures were installed on poles positioned between the courts. Twelve 1000-watt metal halide lights were in the court area, four through the middle and four at each end. The customer wanted the upgraded lighting moved to the perimeter and mounted on existing 18-foot outer fence poles. The request was to work within the existing outer pole positions.Â
Reusing those poles ensured the project stayed within budget. Our recommendation had to align with the existing footprint and avoid glare or obstructions on the playing surface.
Lighting Plan Created for St. Kitts Marriott Courts
Lighting Plan Metrics:
- Mounting Height: 18 feet
- Average Foot Candles Achieved: 21 fc
- Uniformity Ratio: 4.21
- Product(s) Used: MLLG-LS-BH-2-BZ LLS-X-SAL-400A-50-T3-BZ
Impact of the Aging Lighting System on Guests and Players:
- Tennis, basketball, and pickleball depend on players tracking a ball at speed and height. Dim or uneven coverage raises the chance of a missed read and introduces safety risks to players
- Lights mounted between the courts sit inside players' sightlines. Direct glare during overhead shots reduces visibility when players need it most
- With tennis, half-court basketball, and pickleball sharing one footprint, uneven light means some lines and playing zones read clearly while others do not
- Aging metal halide technology drifts in color temperature and CRI, especially as the lights degrade. This flattens contrast between the ball and the court surface
- Guests stopped using courts at night due to dim lighting. A resort sports amenity that goes dark after sunset is an extra expense the property is paying to maintain, but not fully using
Risks for Resort Maintenance Staff:
- Failing lamps and ballasts on 18-foot poles lead to recurring ladder or lift work. Fall exposure is one of the most cited hazards in general industry standards addressed under OSHA
- Dated metal halide wiring and deteriorated connections at the pole and light raise the risk of hazards during any hands-on work
- Metal halide lamps contain mercury and operate under pressure, which introduces breakage and disposal considerations that LED lights do not carry. Lamps with these components are subject to regulated disposal requirements and should be handled accordingly
The proper light level for outdoor recreational sports courts we've seen in other projects typically falls between 20 and 30 foot candles (fc). LED Lighting Supply set the target for guest recreational competition use rather than broadcast or tournament standards. This kept both the fixture count and the budget in range.
The Strategy and Solution of a Custom Sport Court Lighting Recommendation
Marriott worked with LED Lighting Supply’s Product Specialist Jeff Cesenaro to custom tailor the lighting solution for the sports courts. The details of the site were gathered on the first call with Shawn. From there, our team produced a lighting plan around the existing pole positions and delivered fixtures, optics, and mounting hardware as one coordinated package.
LED Lighting Supply specified 16 LED shoebox light fixtures at 240 watts for the sports courts. Two lights were mounted per pole using 2 fixture bullhorn mounts across eight perimeter poles. This includes 5-inch slip fitter adapters that are required to transition a 5-inch square pole down to a 2 ⅜ inch slip fitter. A qualified engineer should verify the existing poles' structural load can support the EPA (Effective Projected Area) at the local design wind speed.
The lighting plan verified coverage across all three court types before the customer installed the lights. We selected the optics based on the distance from the perimeter to the far side of each court. A 30- or 60-degree optic was recommended depending on the pole position. This keeps the light on the playing surface and off the surrounding resort areas. The Marriott resort also purchased two additional marine-grade light fixtures for a beachfront location near the courts.
* Final fixture placement and aiming should be verified against the lighting plan on site, and all electrical work should be performed by a licensed electrician in accordance with local code.Â
Moving the fixtures to the perimeter cleared the in-court poles. This takes both the obstruction and the direct glare out of the playing area. The adjustable mounts let the resort aim each light to serve tennis, basketball, and pickleball from one system. LED technology turns on instantly, so there are no periods of dark courts waiting for the metal halide restrike. Reusing the existing poles allows Marriott to keep the foundation while providing more uniform light coverage for resort guests.
The Results of the Sports Court LED Upgrade
The upgraded LED lighting solution provides uniform light levels, allowing nighttime players to track rapid ball play. The light fixture count and placement achieve a light level of 21 fc, which is well within the range needed for recreational competition. The LED sports court lighting solution remains within Marriott's project budget, while also providing measurable energy savings.Â
Estimated Savings From Choosing Our LED Lighting Solution
| Savings | Within 1 Year | Within 5 Years |
| Total Energy Savings | $8,768 | $43,840 |
| Maintenance Savings | $240 | $1,200 |
| Total Savings (Energy + Maintenance) | $9,008 | $45,040 |
| Return On Investment | 40% | 603% |
* Savings and payback estimates are based on the local utility rate of $0.33 per kWh for commercial and industrial buildings in Saint Kitts. The values are calculated by our LED savings calculator. *
