Display Technology

Bakersfield arena boosts visitor experience with upgraded LED pylon

The Dignity Health Arena, Theater and Convention Center, a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena owned by the City of Bakersfield, in California, now boasts an upgraded sign system featuring a pair of higher-resolution LED screens in a freestanding pylon.

Photo: SNA Displays

October 8, 2026 by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

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The Dignity Health Arena, Theater and Convention Center, a 10,000-seat multi-purpose California arena owned by the City of Bakersfield and managed by ASM Global, plays host to everything from games and concerts to shows and live events all through the year. Once known as Mechanics Bank Arena, it is also home to the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors.

A year ago the Bakersfield City Council approved the development of a new outdoor marquee sign featuring an LED pylon to both improve the venue's exterior and just as importantly, foster a better visitor experience.

"This project aims to bring new appeal and functionality to attending events by providing a new LED Freestanding marquee that enhances the exterior of the building and guest experience," the council stated in a press release.

An added benefit of the LED pylon is the ability to drive revenue to the city via digital out-of-home advertising. There will also be revenue from arena clients using the sign to share themed content with attendees at events.

Project development

The council partnered with SNA Displays in May 2025 for the LED pylon project.

Technology consultant Anthony James Partners provided design, procurement, and construction administration services for the upgrade and Sign Factory provided demolition and LED installation services.

"This was our first time working with the City of Bakersfield, who own the venue, although we have significant experience with arena managers ASM Global," Barbara Barry, director of sports and live events at SNA Displays, said in an email interview.

SNA Displays is an LED video display manufacturer across several market sectors including sports and live-event venues, OOH, commercial real estate, retail environments, museums and commissioned digital art and many others.

Sleeker, improved visibility

The upgraded sign system sports a much sleeker design than its outdated predecessor, incorporating illuminated graphics and a pair of higher-resolution LED screens, all as part of a freestanding pylon.

It stands 36 feet and 6 inches tall and includes City of Bakersfield colors, channel lettering, and structural channel accent lighting.

The video displays are vertically oriented, each measuring 18 feet tall x 10 feet by 6 inches wide (552 x 320 pixels), and installed at a 30-degree angle to improve visibility for east- and west-bound traffic along Truxtun Avenue.

Screen technology selection

When it comes to a huge arena and so many different events taking place, the goal was to provide sign technology that met all the center's needs as well as those of the clients.

"The Dignity Health Arena LED pylon needed technology that was flexible, reliable, and capable of delivering clear content to traffic along Truxtun Avenue," said Barry. "Not only does it support themed content, but it also generates revenue for the City of Bakersfield through digital-out-of-home advertising."

Choosing the right technology required balancing all those usage requirements with cost efficiency while optimizing the resolution and pitch for the best video experience possible, said Barry.

What to know before a sign project

Way before the design and display decisions, an organization needs to map out more than a few things, according to Barry.

"Organizations should establish their goals, budget, and operational requirements early, including how the display will support live events and integrate with the venue, both the infrastructure and current or future digital display networks," Barry said.

Early involvement from the designer and LED provider can help ensure the technology fits the space and application.

"An experienced provider can also coordinate with other trades and develop custom solutions when necessary. The more complex an upgrade is, such as adding illuminated channel lettering or building a brand new steel column support structure, the more a history of solid project management becomes," said Barry.

About Judy Mottl

Judy Mottl is the editor of RetailCustomerExperience.com and DigitalSignageToday.com at Connect Media. She is an award-winning editor, reporter and blogger who has worked for top media for nearly four decades, including AOL, InformationWeek and Internet News, as well as for leading technology providers including HP. She’s written everything from breaking news to in-depth industry trends and reported on technology long before the internet arrived, including the debut of the first smartphone. When she's not sharing insights on digital signage deployments and trends in retail customer experience she's on the beach or watching the latest live murder trial.

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