Project Overview
Scope: Audio · Acoustics · Video · Lighting · Shared Control
Venue Capacity: 1910-seat gymnasium
Primary Goals:
- Create a flexible suite of technical systems supporting both sports and gathering needs
- Design a dynamic environment that works equally well for sports, chapel, events, and worship gatherings
- Deliver simple controls for both advanced and volunteer users
The Freed Center Gymnasium at Vanguard University serves several roles: sports, chapel, events, and worship gatherings. Each has different production needs—and different teams. Every group needs right-sized systems that meet their specific needs while meeting the high production standards of the university.
Challenges and Vision
- Shared Ownership: Quintessential Multi-use. Many groups in one dynamic, flexible space
- Control Simplicity: Volunteers and pros alike needed intuitive control and automation
- System Flexibility: Dual control surfaces, multiple user types, and modular use
The Freed Center Story
Founded in 1920 and consistently ranked among the top private Christian universities in the Western U.S., Vanguard University is driven by a mission to shape both the minds and the spiritual lives of its students. At the bustling center of campus activity is the Freed Center—a dynamic facility housing athletic facilities, a gymnasium with full production capabilities, and a growing Kinesiology academic program. The Freed Center is a key component of the university’s campus master plan.
Vantage Pro led the team through the Foresight Design process—starting with vision, strategy and planning, involving key stakeholders at each stage of systems design. We collaborated in planning for multiple users, varying event types, and long-term adaptability. With a plan, the Vantage Pro team design the gymnasium audio, video, lighting, and control systems to perfectly match the needs of the facility. In October 2024, Vantage Pro was honored to attend the opening celebration of the Freed Center.
In Vanguard’s words, “Integral to a thriving residential college experience, the new Freed Center will be Vanguard’s first-ever dynamic athletic facility. Designed to be the central hub for Vanguard Athletics, the space will be dedicated to the physical, spiritual, and relational development of more than 450 student-athletes, a group that has more than doubled in growth over the last four years–teaching them to lead Christ-centered lives on and off the playing surface.” (source: give.vanguard.edu/freedcenter/)
Technology Solutions
| System | Details |
| Audio | L-Acoustics A15 + KS21 subs · A&H SQ5 mixing console · Shure ULX-D wireless · Shure PSM 300 IEM · Symetrix DSP with 10″ Touchscreens · Listen Technologies Assisted Listening System |
| Lighting | Chamsys QuickQ Rack · Fixtures: Chauvet Ovation F-265WW · Chauvet P-56fc · Cue Server Architectural Controller |
| Video | Absen NX 3.7 LED Display / Scoreboard Hybrid Solution · Ross Carbonite Ultra |
| Control | Lyntec power · Lowell racks |
“I am so grateful we have Vantage Pro as such a reliable partner to address our needs.”
— Larry Pirkle, Sr Director (former), Facilities Planning and Construction
