Venues · Rigging and LED
St. Thomas University: AV setup, LED and permits at the Fernandez Family Center
For a Fernandez Family Center (FFC) event, identify the gym, lobby and classrooms separately. St. Thomas University publishes a facility request, not a technical plan authorizing every setup.
Which FFC space does the setup use?
The main address is 16401 NW 37th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida 33054, in Miami-Dade County. The campus map identifies the FFC as building 20 and Library/Goldbloom Convocation Hall as building 2: these are separate venues. Confirm the loading access for the reserved building.
The athletics profile lists a maximum of 2500 for the FFC and describes mezzanine classrooms with dividers. That number does not determine available seating after adding stage, LED, control, aisles or access areas. Submit the actual layout and retain the capacity accepted for that configuration.
| Space on the form | Published reference | Check before designing |
|---|---|---|
| FFC Gym | Up to 2500 seats | Accepted layout, exits, accessibility and equipment footprint. |
| FFC Lobby / FFC Fronton | Separate selections; no capacity on the form | Exact designation, boundaries, usable area and circulation. |
| FFC Classroom / Classrooms | Up to 24 / 64 / 100 seats | Room and divider configuration; do not add capacities without an accepted plan. |
| Convocation Hall | Up to 300 seats | Building 2; keep its AV and approval separate from the FFC. |
When should the space be requested, and which times matter?
The form requires submission by an organization official at least 8 weeks ahead. Outside organizations are instructed to consult Physical Plant first. Prepare the activity, audience, vendors and promotional material; a requested date is not a confirmed booking.
Separately declare staff access, setup start, audience doors, event start and end, and breakdown completion. Check that the authorized window allows unloading, assembly, signal checks and removal. If only show hours are confirmed, resolve the technical access windows before booking crew shifts.
Can LED be suspended or a structure placed on the court?
The public FFC documents reviewed do not specify rigging points, WLL, floor loads, clear height, door dimensions or available electrical capacity. Do not size motors, supports or ballast from attendance capacity or total building area.
Prepare a plan and an inventory including the complete weight of panels, structure, accessories and cabling. For a suspended proposal, add locations, heights and calculated point loads for competent review; for a ground-supported proposal, provide support reactions, footprint, ballast and floor protection. Ground support also requires acceptance.
Before assembly, compare the plan revision, delivered equipment and authorized area. If dimensions, weight or supports change, hold the affected installation pending review. Return to the accepted design only if it remains feasible; do not improvise another roof point or a different base.
What should be specified and checked for AV and power?
The Microphones and Projector/screen/laptop form fields request services. They do not establish models, available quantities, inputs, resolution, included operation or compatibility with an outside computer. Max 2-4 pending area appears beside Podium; do not turn it into a microphone inventory.
Define microphones and playback separately, inputs and outputs, any recording destination, screen positions and projection throw. Obtain exact equipment models and manuals before specifying device menus, levels or connectors. These profiles do not confirm an exclusive AV supplier or a technical staffing package.
| Check to perform | Result to observe | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Audio: identified source, assigned channel and agreed output, with an authorized operator and low initial level | Input signal, followed by playback at the intended output | No input signal: inspect source and link. Input signal with silent output: review routing and mute with the operator. Record changes and restore the initial setting if it does not help. |
| Video: known local file and agreed connection before trying online playback | Stable image and correct framing | If the local file works but online playback fails, separate connectivity from the video path. Restore the previous input when the check ends. |
| Power: load list and circuits assigned by the electrical lead | Supply accepted for AV and LED without unplanned shared loads | Without assigned supply or an authorized connection, do not energize that system. A nearby outlet does not establish capacity for the whole setup. |
Does the FFC allow haze, lasers or suspended decorations?
The form prohibits helium balloons inside the FFC and food or drinks inside the gym. It also states that Physical Plant and the FFC do not decorate or skirt tables. Separate these tasks from sound, lighting and video installation.
The FFC profiles do not grant technical approval for haze, smoke, lasers or pyrotechnics. Describe the effect, equipment, location and operation so STU can determine the applicable review with the authorities. The university smoking prohibition does not itself define a haze policy. Retain a show version without the effect until approvals are in place; do not interfere with fire detection.
Which approval belongs to STU and which to Miami Gardens?
The main address is in City of Miami Gardens, not City of Miami or Miami Beach. The municipal Request for Special Event covers indoor and outdoor events and lists reviews according to scope. Establish the applicable project process with Development Services and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue; university acceptance does not replace it.
The published municipal form has no printed revision date. Its Public Music-Broadcast section specifies 15 working days for applications referred to that review, with a stated maximum of 6 hours and exclusion of 22:00–07:00 on weekdays and 22:00–10:00 on weekends. Those are conditions of that section, not authorized FFC operating hours. Do not treat that as the deadline for every permit or its fees as a current quote. Confirm the edition, requirements and schedule before finalizing the timeline.
| Requirement type | What must be resolved | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Authority / permit | Municipal applicability, structures, electricity, fire safety, noise and effects according to the project | An STU booking does not establish permits. |
| Institution / venue | Space, layout, access, times and FFC restrictions | Advertised attendance does not approve rigging. |
| Organizer | Program, audience, vendors and requested setup | Its agreement does not replace STU or authority approval. |
| Contract / services | Quote, responsibilities, staffing and COI with STU wording for outside vendors | The form does not establish a universal policy or current outside-rental rates. |
| Technical recommendation | Checks, change control and restoration plan | A signal check is not a structural inspection. |
How should changes or cancellation be handled?
Keep the accepted plan, dates, AV scope, vendor list, quote and applicable approvals together. Before changing attendance, stage location, supports, supply or effects, mark the differences and request review of the affected scope. The municipal form warns that substantial changes to conditions can invalidate the permit.
For cancellation, STU requires written notice to Physical Plant by email or fax. This form does not set a universal outside-organization refund or penalty: check the contract. During breakdown, use the authorized window and route, remove your materials, and check surface condition and connection restoration with the venue.
Scope record: exact space and address; plan and revision; audience; technical times; LED and supports; circuits; AV signals; effects; responsibilities and approvals; changes and restoration. Unpublished data requires venue documentation before installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can the FFC’s 2500 seats be used for any event?
No. That is the advertised maximum, not an approved layout with stage and equipment. Draw LED, control, circulation and audience areas; use the capacity accepted for that plan.
Does requesting the FFC 8 weeks ahead secure every approval?
No. That is the university form’s lead time. Outside organizations must consult Physical Plant first. Confirm availability and technical windows, and handle installation review and applicable permits separately.
Can an LED wall be suspended from the gym roof?
These profiles publish no points or WLL. Submit complete weights, locations and calculated loads for review. If suspension is not accepted, review a ground-supported option with approved loads and floor use; do not select roof points by appearance.
Do microphone and projector selections guarantee an operational system?
No. Define models, quantities, signals, supply and operator. Check an audio source and a local video file through the agreed path. Isolate source/link first, then output; restore the initial configuration afterward.
Can haze or lasers be used because the form does not prohibit them?
Absence of a prohibition is not authorization. Submit equipment, effect and location for STU and competent-authority review. Keep a version without the effect and do not alter detectors.
Does the university booking replace a municipal permit?
No. Separate space and setup acceptance from municipal and fire review. The address is in Miami Gardens; do not automatically apply City of Miami or Miami Beach forms or timelines.
What if the stage changes or the event is canceled?
Version the plan and review affected attendance, loads, circuits and effects with the responsible parties before making the change. Physical Plant cancellation must be written; costs and refunds depend on the current contract.
Official documentation
Documents checked: October 18, 2026. The municipal form has 6 pages and no revision date; its fees and thresholds require current confirmation. This guide does not assign rigging or power capacity absent from FFC profiles.