In March, the new pride of Liseberg, the biggest amusement park in Scandinavia, was opened for a preview and a press visit. Balder will be a breathtaking 37m high experience with a 70° pitch and a top speed of about 90km per hour. In total ‘Balder’ has cost around SEK 100 million.
"Liseberg in general and Balder in particular are a total experience that starts as soon as you approach the attraction or drive past Liseberg along the E6 motorway. In this respect the lighting plays a vital role," says Ralf Andreasson, project manager at Liseberg. The assignment to light up Liseberg’s new super attraction was awarded to Primetec, whose work includes the lighting for the Ford Group’s car exhibitions in Europe, most recently at the car show in Geneva. In terms of its components, the lighting of ‘Balder’ creates the biggest permanent outdoor lighting installation ever seen in Sweden.
"Of course it’s great that Liseberg allocated resources for a really professional lighting installation. It will increase the value of the total experience and attract visitors to Liseberg and those who want to ride on Balder," says Per Dahlqvist, sales manager at Primetec.
Lighting-related services account for almost 50% of Primetec’s estimated turnover for 2003 of around SEK 80 million. This is a market that Primetec believes will expand in future. "In general terms, light has gained greater commercial significance. The competition for consumers is becoming tougher, and in that battle AV, sound and light are playing an increasingly significant role," says Dahlqvist.
(Lee Baldock)
