Admirals add some flash with new scoreboard at Scope

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Video: Wath the new scoreboard at Scope in action.  (Watch full size, embed and link.)
STEPHEN M. KATZ | The Virginian-Pilot

The spectacle that unfolded Thursday at Scope wasn’t lost on Dennis McEwen  “I’ve been through three generations of them here,” the former Norfolk Admirals hockey star said. “I remember with the first one, we had to manually put our team name over the 'home’ sign. I’m glad to see we’ve finally gone digital.”

So were Norfolk city officials. They were positively giddy as they proudly unveiled Scope’s new $2.1 million video scoreboard, the latest in a series of upgrades designed to give the 37-year-old venue a state-of-the-art feel.

By the numbers

7 - Workers needed to operate the new scoreboard system, including three cameramen and the official scorer. Two were necessary to man the old scoreboard.

20-by-12.5  - Dimensions, in feet, of Scope’s two massive end scoreboards, which are larger than the screens on the center-hung boards.

$500,000- Cost of Scope’s previous scoreboard, which went up in 1994.

68.7 billion- Possible colors the scoreboard can generate.

Did you know?

This is hardly the only recent improvement made to Scope. The city of Norfolk has spent about $22 million over the past seven years on upgrades to the complex, which includes Chrysler Hall. The revenue has come from a special fund generated by a tax on hotels and restaurants.

In their own words

“We now have the Rolls Royce of scoreboards.” -Paul Fraim, Norfolk mayor

“I can’t wait for a game. It’s something we’ve wanted for a long time.” Blake Cullen, the original Admirals owner

“There will be a perceptible buzz when fans walk into the arena and see there’s a whole new set of toys to play with.” Chris Mascatello, executive with ANC Sports, the company that spearheaded the scoreboard’s design, construction and implementation