What is the best lighting conditions you have ever played in? And where was it?

For me, it has to be at the Vancouver Racquets Club. The lights are just hanging in the ceiling along the sides of each court. However, I still lose shuttles when the flight trajectory is in the lighting. Also wondering if diffused lighting (light source reflecting off white walls/ceilings) would be better for badminton.

What is the best lighting conditions you have ever played in? And where was it?

For me, it has to be at the Vancouver Racquets Club. The lights are just hanging in the ceiling along the sides of each court. However, I still lose shuttles when the flight trajectory is in the lighting. Also wondering if diffused lighting (light source reflecting off white walls/ceilings) would be better for badminton.

The lighting + ceiling combo is fantastic there.

However, I still believe the best one should be the one that "feeling used". For me, the best lighting I got in Vancouver is Collingwood! Why? Just because the ceiling, lighting, and slippery floor are the same as my cheap mult-purpose gym back in my hometown... :D

Interesting one.

Mine would have to be David Lloyd Leisure, in Speke, Liverpool. Having said that, I only have a few places to compare with. I've played about 90% of my badminton over 10 years in the same hall.

The Cockburn centre in the South side of Glasgow, a converted paint shed with a very high roof, dark green walls with a burgandy banding and middle green coloured courts. 6 courts side by side.

The lighting is two flourescent tubes horizontally one below the other hanging off to the side of the mid court on each side.

The place hasn't changed in years and it still knocks all comers out of the water, even the new £3M National academy.

For me its at Université de Montréal :p

Hmmm... thanks for the replies, guys:). I was hoping for more details. Like how the lights are fixed to provide the optimum condition. It seems that flourescent lighting along the sides of the courts are pretty common among baddy dedicated gyms. I know that the Derrick Club in Edmonton has similar lighting... it's so dark there yet has enough light to make out the shuttle.

When I was little, I used to train in a private badminton gym in Taiwan. I remember they have the best lighting because the lights they used at like a huge rectangular box located along the side wall. They don't put lights on the ceiling because the glare will go to people's eyes in that way.

The light boxes have matte surface, so the light is not so bright and not too sharp and you can even just stare at it directly without getting your eyes burned. :)

So, they just put those lights throughout the entire gym.....and it's bright, and it's highly visible. That's the best lighting I have ever seen in my short life so far.
(I don't remember if there is any blind spot :))

At my club, we have diffused lighting which is certainly more agreeable to the eyes.

I suppose our hall is better suited to diffused lighting as it is rectangular in shape, not too big and the width is just enough to accommodate one court. We have three courts lined up alongside each other.

Despite the diffused lighting, the hall can be too bright and hot for many, since the voltage of the halogen lamps are a bit high and our walls are painted a little too light. When the times comes, the voltage will be lowered and the walls painted with a darker green hopefully.

In any case, we are quite lucky because our club is perhaps the only golf club here that has a proper badminton hall together with other social facilities. :p

that is a beautiful badminton court!! badminton only also, what a luxurious hall to have.

agree that it will look even nicer and more badminton like if it is a colder green color instead of the warm tone. but i think we are asking for a little too much when most of us are making do with old school gymnasiums...

WOw, that looks like a 5-star Hotel to me :eek: !!

It would be really nice to play there.....if I were you, I will probably never miss any badminton session anymore....

that is a beautiful badminton court!! badminton only also, what a luxurious hall to have.

agree that it will look even nicer and more badminton like if it is a colder green color instead of the warm tone. but i think we are asking for a little too much when most of us are making do with old school gymnasiums...

Kwun,

I'm glad you lke the courts. But it is not perfect and some of our members have lodged complaints and refuse to play in them! Would you believe that some of our members are really spoilt! They complained that the lights are too low, the lights too bright, the walls are too light-coloured, etc!

As you can see from the pic, the top oversized rectangular green windows, they are louvered windows and wind and rain can seep through at times. But the architects never consulted me on this. What I specified was that
the hall should be well-ventilated without any interference from the wind which could affect the flight of the shuttle. And there must be exhaust fans at the ceiling to suck out the hot air and ventilate the hall.

As for the wall colour, when it was shown to me, it was much darker but it turned out to be lighter when it was done.

I got the brunt of these criticisms because I was then in charge and responsible for securing the three courts and its facilities for my badminton team. But not now, for I have passed the baton to a younger member. If LazyBuddy is a member, I'm sure I'll have no complaints from him. You are absolutely right, the courts are for badminton only and not a multi-purpose hall with many lines and certainly, LB will not have to tape the lines every time he plays!

Sadly, I hardly play there now as the distance is a bit far. I only go there for golf on weekends and play badminton at two other places nearer my home, twice a week. Actually, it is only about 20 minutes away and LB would have killed me if he knows the truth for he drives much, much longer distances just to be able to play badminton. :D

For me its at Université de Montréal :pHaha...! :p

1) the courts in the main gym have a great surface but the lightning is too bright. When you are on one side of the court, it happens sometimes that you see the bird only at the last second.

2) the courts in the simple gym are true gems. Same surface as the main gym and the lightning is perfect. Although, sometimes there can be wind draft but it doesn't often occur.

Well, perhaps in a few years, you will be part of our team!

But the best courts in Mtl are at Atwater Club (former MBSC). They are just :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: . But I didn't see the new courts at the national training center in Claude-Robillard. My friends who are on the provincial and national teams say that the courts improved a lot.

JRMTL

At my club, we have diffused lighting which is certainly more agreeable to the eyes.

I suppose our hall is better suited to diffused lighting as it is rectangular in shape, not too big and the width is just enough to accommodate one court. We have three courts lined up alongside each other.

Despite the diffused lighting, the hall can be too bright and hot for many, since the voltage of the halogen lamps are a bit high and our walls are painted a little too light. When the times comes, the voltage will be lowered and the walls painted with a darker green hopefully.

In any case, we are quite lucky because our club is perhaps the only golf club here that has a proper badminton hall together with other social facilities. :p
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Geez.

I would LOVE to have access to a hall like that.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Geez.

I would LOVE to have access to a hall like that.

When are you coming?
Be my guest! :p

When are you coming?
Be my guest! :p
:p

Well, perhaps I will coach the national team at worlds university championship in Bangkok by the beginning of December. Therefore, I may be able to pass by Singapore!

:p

Well, perhaps I will coach the national team at worlds university championship in Bangkok by the beginning of December. Therefore, I may be able to pass by Singapore!

That's excellent! Maybe I can get some of my coaching friends to meet up with you too and exchange ideas. I'm sure they also like to socialize with badminton at my club.

Bangkok is not too far away and now the budget airlines are making it easier for us to travel there. I've been there earlier for the Thai Open.

By the way, which 'national team' are you referring to? I'm sure your work must be really exciting! :)

That's excellent! Maybe I can get some of my coaching friends to meet up with you too and exchange ideas. I'm sure they also like to socialize with badminton at my club.

Bangkok is not too far away and now the budget airlines are making it easier for us to travel there. I've been there earlier for the Thai Open.

By the way, which 'national team' are you referring to? I'm sure your work must be really exciting! :)
Canada. I don't really know what would be the level from China and other Asian countries. But here, many national team members will be part in the team or people who made finals or semis at the last national championships.

The national trials will be held in Montreal on September 12th.

The tournament is planned from December 9 to December 12. We expect to leave December 4th and return in Canada December 13th. But, depending on work and courses, I might be able to extend it and take some holidays (if I am chosen as a coach... well I expect the chances now at 75%).

So, it would be awesome to meet you there (either in Singapore or Thailand). I'll keep you posted.

JRMTL

Canada. I don't really know what would be the level from China and other Asian countries. But here, many national team members will be part in the team or people who made finals or semis at the last national championships.

The national trials will be held in Montreal on September 12th.

The tournament is planned from December 9 to December 12. We expect to leave December 4th and return in Canada December 13th. But, depending on work and courses, I might be able to extend it and take some holidays (if I am chosen as a coach... well I expect the chances now at 75%).

So, it would be awesome to meet you there (either in Singapore or Thailand). I'll keep you posted.

JRMTL

Oh, I hope you are selected and come to Singapore for a short holiday if possible. Then you can join us and meet some of my friends.

Last December, Huber Gunter (of Germany), who once coached the Canadian National Team I believe, came by to share his experience and knowledge with us at a Level 3 course. Wonder whether you know or heard of him? :)

Oh, I hope you are selected and come to Singapore for a short holiday if possible. Then you can join us and meet some of my friends.

Last December, Huber Gunter (of Germany), who once coached the Canadian National Team I believe, came by to share his experience and knowledge with us at a Level 3 course. Wonder whether you know or heard of him? :)
Yup, I know him. I never had the chance to meet him personally, but he coached the national team for 1 or 2 years. I don't know if he liked the experience, cuz at that time, Badminton Canada (the national federation) sucked (for various reasons). They didn't resigned him for obscure reasons and I don't think it is for his qualities.

JRMTL

WOw, that looks like a 5-star Hotel to me :eek: !!

It would be really nice to play there.....if I were you, I will probably never miss any badminton session anymore....

Thanks, but don't be surprised to find a number of clubs here that are quite nice in design and have many social facilities.

The bigger swimming clubs here, like the Chinese Swimming Club, the Singapore Swimming Club and the Changi Beach Club also have badminton courts, with CSC now building more new ones, possibly 8 courts as they have a larger membership and many badminton players. I think the SSC now have 6 courts with diffused lightingas well. But apart from our club, the other golf clubs here do not emphasize on badminton unfortunately.

Our club's badminton team plays two social evenings a week, Wed and Fri, on which days they do not have to pay court fees but contribute to the purchase of shuttles for which they are charged S$10 per month. I used to play during such evenings but have stopped since about two years ago. If I am as young as you are, I'll probably play more badminton. Friendly matches are still organized against other clubs or badminton teams.

Actually a social member of our club has access to many sports facilities which include, apart from badminton, swimming as you can see the Olympic size swimming pool in the pic plus a recreation pool for kids, ten-pin bowling in aircon comfort, tennis, squash, table-tennis, gym and the golf driving range. As with most social clubs, F&B facilities like restaurant, cafe, bar, karaoke lounge and rooms, jackpot machines and even mahjong rooms are also available at our club, which is quite new at about 3 years' old at its present new premises. I will post some pics later to give you an idea. :)

WOH!!! That hall looks like a badder's heaven!! Man, a badminton court at a high class place like a golf club no less! *drool* Let's hope we will be eventually successful in our campaign to bring badminton popularity to North America. That way we can get out of our multipurpose/white roof/high vent air speed/top-lit school gyms and into one of these beautiful temples of badminton. :)

At my club, we have diffused lighting which is certainly more agreeable to the eyes.

I suppose our hall is better suited to diffused lighting as it is rectangular in shape, not too big and the width is just enough to accommodate one court. We have three courts lined up alongside each other.

Despite the diffused lighting, the hall can be too bright and hot for many, since the voltage of the halogen lamps are a bit high and our walls are painted a little too light. When the times comes, the voltage will be lowered and the walls painted with a darker green hopefully.

In any case, we are quite lucky because our club is perhaps the only golf club here that has a proper badminton hall together with other social facilities. :p

Ok, guess my next trip is SP. :D

Loh,

That is a nice posh badminton club!! It must be the newly re-located Warren Golf and Country Club in Choa Chu Kang?
Is there a social membership only so I can enjoy badminton and not golf, although I like to but cannot afford to. :mad:


Kwun,

I'm glad you lke the courts. But it is not perfect and some of our members have lodged complaints and refuse to play in them! Would you believe that some of our members are really spoilt! They complained that the lights are too low, the lights too bright, the walls are too light-coloured, etc!

As you can see from the pic, the top oversized rectangular green windows, they are louvered windows and wind and rain can seep through at times. But the architects never consulted me on this. What I specified was that
the hall should be well-ventilated without any interference from the wind which could affect the flight of the shuttle. And there must be exhaust fans at the ceiling to suck out the hot air and ventilate the hall.

As for the wall colour, when it was shown to me, it was much darker but it turned out to be lighter when it was done.

I got the brunt of these criticisms because I was then in charge and responsible for securing the three courts and its facilities for my badminton team. But not now, for I have passed the baton to a younger member. If LazyBuddy is a member, I'm sure I'll have no complaints from him. You are absolutely right, the courts are for badminton only and not a multi-purpose hall with many lines and certainly, LB will not have to tape the lines every time he plays!

Sadly, I hardly play there now as the distance is a bit far. I only go there for golf on weekends and play badminton at two other places nearer my home, twice a week. Actually, it is only about 20 minutes away and LB would have killed me if he knows the truth for he drives much, much longer distances just to be able to play badminton. :D

WOH!!! That hall looks like a badder's heaven!! Man, a badminton court at a high class place like a golf club no less! *drool* Let's hope we will be eventually successful in our campaign to bring badminton popularity to North America. That way we can get out of our multipurpose/white roof/high vent air speed/top-lit school gyms and into one of these beautiful temples of badminton. :)

Oh, please don't be mistaken. Not many halls are solely for badminton. Our club is an exception among the golf clubs here because yours truly managed to convince the Club Management Committee about 5 years ago that badminton is very popular and should be given preference over racket games such as squash and tennis, both of which already had two courts at the old clubhouse and continue to have two at the present new premises. So from just one court at the old club, also included the last minute through strong persuasion from me as well, we got three in the end as shown in the pics. And indeed, revenue from badminton has been better than the two other racquet sports.

I'm sure most of the school halls and public sports halls are multipurpose in nature, depending on what sports they emphasize, like badminton and net ball, or even basketball although the latter are mainly played outdoors.

Although I play on rubber mat on Tuesday evenings, on Sundays I play in a multipurpose court with different coloured lines for different games. And the lights are not too friendly either, unlike the diffused lighting at our club.

But I agree with you that you can get what you want if you really put in a great deal of effort and garner the support of like-minded colleagues. We did it before and we succeeded in the end. :p

Loh,

That is a nice posh badminton club!! It must be the newly re-located Warren Golf and Country Club in Choa Chu Kang?
Is there a social membership only so I can enjoy badminton and not golf, although I like to but cannot afford to. :mad:

Oh yes, you are absolutely correct. You must be living nearby the club.
Compared with our old premises at Dover Road, where we had only 9 holes instead of the present 18, the new one is many times bigger and better with more social facilities. Not many clubs have all the facilities that I mentioned located in the same clubhouse. So, if you are living near Warren especially, this club is a good place to be in for relaxation and baddy for the whole family!

Indeed the club has broadly two categories of membership, golfing and social, the only difference is whether you want golf or not as all the other social facilities are open to social members and their families, including the driving range. If you intend to take up golf later, Warren is ideal because the market price for a social membership is relatively cheap (around S$10,000) and monthly subscription is relatively low compared to other 18-hole golf clubs. And unlike joining a swimming club, you have access to a two-tier driving range as well as an Olympic size swimming pool. Some clubs charge additional fees for family members, not Warren. And you can sell your membership in the secondary (resale) market as well under "Classified Ads" in the Straits Times. But of course, as with most other clubs, a transfer fee is charged by the club whenever you sell. That's another source of income for the club.

Price of clubs in S'pore has fallen to about its lowest ever since the financial crisis in 1997 and has not recovered. But if the economy continues to improve and jobs become more stable with personal incomes rising, then prices may rise but it is not expected that they will return to their heydays. The place to invest in good golf clubs is in China where the middle-and upper income classes are growing and many are longing to have a taste of the 'good life". :)

Ok, guess my next trip is SP. :D

Guarantee you won't have to tape the lines. Then you can save your energy for more baddy games. But I won't be able to handle you all the way. I'll make sure my younger 'kakis' (buddies in Malay) will stand by to entertain you and to ensure you won't leave the court for hours on end! :D

Hi Loh,

Is it strictly for booking by members only? I do not stay really that near, in Jurong West. a few minutes by a cab. I can't afford to drive, and I can't afford the membership too. I just checked that the social membership transfer fee is $5k plus. I better stick to SSC's sport club for the public. :D
My place will have a new Jurong West Sports Club and within working distance soon. :D

Oh yes, you are absolutely correct. You must be living nearby the club.
Compared with our old premises at Dover Road, where we had only 9 holes instead of the present 18, the new one is many times bigger and better with more social facilities. Not many clubs have all the facilities that I mentioned located in the same clubhouse. So, if you are living near Warren especially, this club is a good place to be in for relaxation and baddy for the whole family!

Indeed the club has broadly two categories of membership, golfing and social, the only difference is whether you want golf or not as all the other social facilities are open to social members and their families, including the driving range. If you intend to take up golf later, Warren is ideal because the market price for a social membership is relatively cheap (around S$10,000) and monthly subscription is relatively low compared to other 18-hole golf clubs. And unlike joining a swimming club, you have access to a two-tier driving range as well as an Olympic size swimming pool. Some clubs charge additional fees for family members, not Warren. And you can sell your membership in the secondary (resale) market as well under "Classified Ads" in the Straits Times. But of course, as with most other clubs, a transfer fee is charged by the club whenever you sell. That's another source of income for the club.

Price of clubs in S'pore has fallen to about its lowest ever since the financial crisis in 1997 and has not recovered. But if the economy continues to improve and jobs become more stable with personal incomes rising, then prices may rise but it is not expected that they will return to their heydays. The place to invest in good golf clubs is in China where the middle-and upper income classes are growing and many are longing to have a taste of the 'good life". :)

Back to topic. :rolleyes:
The best lighting are the side lightings as recommended by IBF's website. Right here in Batam, Indonesia, the Temmenggung Badminton Hall is one such good lighting design. The walls are painted darker blue tone and there is no blinding windows too. the lights are white mercury lamps but are boxed in white diffuser boxes and hanging by the sides of the courts. there are no overhead lightings to blind you. It is by no means luxurious but the "hollow beneath" timber stripped flooring and the spacious layout is a real treat for such a small island not far from Singapore.
It was also the venue for Sanyo Indonesian Open 2003.

both of which already had two courts at the old clubhouse and continue to have two at the present new premises. So from just one court at the old club, also included the last minute through strong persuasion from me as well, we got three in the end as shown in the pics. And indeed, revenue from badminton has been better than the two other racquet sports.

I'm sure most of the school halls and public sports halls are multipurpose in nature, depending on what sports they emphasize, like badminton and net ball, or even basketball although the latter are mainly played outdoors.

Although I play on rubber mat on Tuesday evenings, on Sundays I play in a multipurpose court with different coloured lines for different games. And the lights are not too friendly either, unlike the diffused lighting at our club.

But I agree with you that you can get what you want if you really put in a great deal of effort and garner the support of like-minded colleagues. We did it before and we succeeded in the end. :p
Hi Loh,

The game call "Squash" is pretty sqaushed dead in Singapore. I think. Not many kids will play tennis in the day, and I think the popular racquet game has to be Badminton. In malaysia golf clubs, the tennis courts are almost deserted. The collected revenues of your club is a proven success. It is practically like full house every night in every community clubs and sports halls facilities I can find online. So please bug them to build more. :) It is still not enough.

Heh! Thanks Armortec800 for bring the topic back on line. Loh has quite a charming way of going off-tangent at times:p. But yeah, Loh! Those pics of yours are quite breathtaking:eek:! S$10,000 for membership, you say... man, that's a downpayment for my future apartment loft:(! It's also the same amount for membership into the elite Vancouver Lawn & Tennis Club or the Arbutus Club.

Perhaps this could give folks some ideas how to build the best lighting for badminton courts. *hint, hint... WWC;)*

Back to topic. :rolleyes:
The best lighting are the side lightings as recommended by IBF's website. Right here in Batam, Indonesia, the Temmenggung Badminton Hall is one such good lighting design. The walls are painted darker blue tone and there is no blinding windows too. the lights are white mercury lamps but are boxed in white diffuser boxes and hanging by the sides of the courts. there are no overhead lightings to blind you. It is by no means luxurious but the "hollow beneath" timber stripped flooring and the spacious layout is a real treat for such a small island not far from Singapore.
It was also the venue for Sanyo Indonesian Open 2003.

Hi all.

Here is a link with many pics I took during the games part of a practice last year.

http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/~quevillj/

You'll have an idea how are the courts in the main gym. This week, I will try to take others with a full view of the gym.

In the folder ChampionnatUniversitaire2004: http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/~quevillj/ChampionnatUniversitaire2004/

you have many videos of players of our team playing when we won the provincial university championship in 2004.

JRMTL

Here is a picture some of you may remember from my Sudirman Cup postings.

The purpose built National Badminton Academy in Glasgow.

Can't upload the picture again so here is the link:

http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=145224&postcount=14

Here is a picture some of you may remember from my Sudirman Cup postings.

The purpose built National Badminton Academy in Glasgow.

Can't upload the picture again so here is the link:

http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=145224&postcount=14*drools* Are you coaching there?

That is unbelieveable. Wow. How many courts do you have there?

*drools* Are you coaching there?

That is unbelieveable. Wow. How many courts do you have there?

Yes but only the begginers and intermediates adult classes.

There are 6 courts in the main hall and 4 in the squad hall, the place was built a couple of years ago to progress the sport by having everything the players need in one facility.

The downfall is thet there has only been one competition played there so far that I am aware of, an under 15 quadrangular where Scotland won over England, Wales and Ireland by a very comfortable margin.

Hi Loh,

Is it strictly for booking by members only? I do not stay really that near, in Jurong West. a few minutes by a cab. I can't afford to drive, and I can't afford the membership too. I just checked that the social membership transfer fee is $5k plus. I better stick to SSC's sport club for the public. :D
My place will have a new Jurong West Sports Club and within working distance soon. :D

Yes, members only unfortunately. :( But members can sign in guest and pay the relevant guest fees.

It is wise that one should not go beyond one's means by overstretching one's financials resources. When you do well in your job and have extra disposable income, you can think about joining a private club, especially when you are married and have young kids.

But one thing I have learned is that if you save 10% of your pay check every month and resist the temptation of taking out this money from your bank account, you will not have to worry about your retirement! Just 10 per cent every month and you will see your money (CASH) multiplying at a compounded interest rate and reach an almost unimaginable sum when you have to stop working at old age. You don't have to rely on your children! :D

Frankly, our public courts are very good, especially with the new ones because the architects and engineers have gained more experience. Therefore Jurong West should be a much improved version. Incidentally, yesterday evening I played at the Jurong East Sports Hall and it was generally good, although I have to get used to the ceiling lights during the initial stages.