Case Study
Municipality of East Hants - Council Chambers AV System Upgrade
- Client: Municipality of East Hants
- Location: Lloyd E Matheson Centre, Elmsdale, Nova Scotia
- Sector: Municipal Government
- Scope: Full-Scope AV Integration
The Challenge
The Municipality of East Hants is one of the fastest-growing communities in Atlantic Canada, with rapid residential and commercial expansion driving new expectations for governance. At the heart of municipal decision-making, the Council Chambers inside the Lloyd E Matheson Centre had become outdated.
The existing audiovisual system was unreliable, difficult to use, and unable to support the hybrid and accessible meeting formats now considered essential. Audio clarity was poor, video capabilities were limited, and accessibility barriers restricted citizen participation. The Municipality needed a modernized system that could deliver transparent, inclusive, and effective governance.
The Solution
Backman Vidcom partnered with the Municipality to design and install a state-of-the-art AV system tailored to the needs of council members, staff, and the public. Following a detailed needs assessment with Council, administrative staff, and IT personnel, the team introduced high-definition pan-tilt-zoom cameras for professional-quality video streaming, along with beamforming ceiling microphones and digital signal processing for clear, reliable audio.
Accessibility was a priority throughout the design: an assistive listening system and closed captioning tools were integrated directly into the system. The control interface was designed to be simple and intuitive for daily use by municipal staff, and installation was carefully scheduled to avoid disrupting Council business.
The Results
The Council Chambers are now equipped with a modern AV platform that has transformed how governance is delivered in East Hants. Meetings run more efficiently, communication is clearer, and hybrid participation is seamless.
Live streaming provides citizens with real-time access to proceedings, while the assistive listening and closed captioning tools ensure inclusivity. The upgrade reflects the Municipality’s commitment to transparency and community engagement, creating a governance space that keeps pace with a growing, forward-looking region.
This project is one of several municipal AV upgrades we’ve delivered across Atlantic Canada, explore our other case studies or browse our full AV projects portfolio to see more of our work.
PTZ
High-definition pan-tilt-zoom camera coverage
Live
Council meetings streamed to the public
Full
Accessibility: assistive listening plus closed captioning
East Hants’ own livestream and accessibility notes, and the Lloyd E. Matheson Centre’s venue page, have more on how the Council Chambers are used today.
“Backman Vidcom provided a seamless experience from start to finish. Their team understood our unique needs and delivered a system that is both accessible and easy to use. The new AV setup has transformed how we conduct meetings and engage with the public, it’s made a real difference for Council and the community.”
Municipal Staff Representative, Municipality of East Hants
FAQ
What AV upgrades were made to the East Hants Council Chambers?
High-definition pan-tilt-zoom cameras, beamforming ceiling microphones with digital signal processing, an assistive listening system, closed captioning tools, and a simplified control interface for staff.
Can the public still watch East Hants Council meetings?
Yes. Meetings are live streamed to the public, giving citizens real-time access to proceedings alongside the option to attend in person.
Was there any disruption to Council business during installation?
No. Installation was carefully scheduled and staff were trained before going live, so the transition from the old system to the new one had no downtime.
How does the new system support accessibility?
An assistive listening system and closed captioning tools are built directly into the AV system, helping residents with hearing impairments fully participate in Council proceedings.