True North Sports & Entertainment Limited announced today that Daktronics, Inc. has been chosen to provide the electronic display systems that will integrate scoring, timing, video and advertising functions for MTS Centre.

"We're really excited to be working with Daktronics to develop the kind of incredible electronic display systems for MTS Centre that will make for a major league hockey and entertainment event experience in our building," said Jim Ludlow, President and CEO of True North Sports & Entertainment Limited. "We chose a full spectrum of Daktronics equipment after seeing the stunning visuals and excitement that Daktronics leading edge technology creates in NHL buildings like the Bell Centre in Montreal and the Xcel Energy Centre in Minneapolis-St. Paul," he said.

The $3.0 million system, most comparable to the electronics installed at Xcel Energy Centre, will incorporate multiple displays in the arena bowl and a large video screen on the exterior of MTS Centre, all centrally controlled and choreographed to heighten fan experience inside and outside the entertainment centre.

The heart of the system is the large four-sided scoreboard hung high over centre ice. The custom-built scoreboard will feature 12 full-color, state-of-the-art, light emitting diode (LED) video displays. The four primary display screens will use Daktronics trademarked technology to present high-resolution images, including live and recorded video, in trillions of shades of color.

Overall dimensions of the center-hung scoreboard are 22 feet high by 25 feet wide (6.7 m by 7.6 m). The primary video screens will measure approximately nine feet high by 16 feet wide (2.7 m by 4.9 m) using the new standard 16:9 aspect ratio of high definition television. More than one million red, green and blue LEDs will be used on the main scoreboard's programmable displays to produce vibrant colors and detailed imagery.

The additional displays on the main scoreboard will be programmable LED matrices that showcase all of the of scoring and statistical information, as well as graphics, animation, sponsor messages and video clips.

MTS Centre will also feature the latest concept in arena interactive media technology. Dubbed "the Power Ring", this electronic display is really a high definition television screen measuring approximately two feet high by 920 feet in circumference. It will be highly visible just above the suite level and right below the upper bowl seats. This ring of light circles the building providing a 360 degree continuous stream of sensory exploding colour and light enhancing the game experience and expanding the parameters of sponsorship messaging for advertisers through-out events. The Power Ring utilizes full-color red, green and blue LEDs to display eye-catching animation, video clips, text, and graphics.

Daktronics will also provide a large outdoor video display screen that will dominate the northwest corner of MTS Centre at Portage Avenue and Hargrave Street in the heart of the city. This dynamic full colour display will be a first for downtown Winnipeg measuring approximately 20 feet high by 18 feet wide (6.1 m x 5.5 m). It will be used to promote upcoming events, offer virtual tours of the facility, serve as a news ticker presenting weather, community information and breaking news and bring live game action and highlights of MTS Centre events to passersby outside the arena.

MTS Centre will be a fantastic new facility, a great asset to the community and a great showcase for our technologies,' according to Kirk Simet, National Sports System Sales Manager for Daktronics. "We are proud to help partner in the design and manufacture of this super system created especially for the MTS Centre."

The total package includes goal lights, ticket window displays, locker room clocks and all necessary computerized controllers and video processors. The entire system interfaces to real time sports data sources to bring instant updates of out of town game scores, highlights and other information.

"This equipment is an essential to providing a first class entertainment experience in today's environment. Hockey fans and other visitors to MTS Centre are in for a great show as a result of the state-of-the-art system Daktronics is designing for us," Jim Ludlow concluded.

The company has scoring and display equipment operating at hundreds of professional, collegiate and high school sports venues nationwide. Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is one of the world's largest suppliers of, electronic scoreboards, computer-programmable displays, large screen video displays and control systems. The Company excels in the control of large display systems, including those that require integration of complex multiple displays showing real time information, graphics, animation and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world in sport, business and transportation applications, and celebrated its 35th year in business in 2003. For more information, visit the Company's worldwide web site at http://www.daktronics.com, email the Company at sales@daktronics.com, call toll-free 1-800-DAKTRONICS (800-325-8766) in the U.S., or write to the Company at 331 32nd Avenue, P.O. Box 5128, Brookings, SD 57006-5128.