The Canberra Olympic Swimming Pool development was an ACT Government funded initiative to upgrade the existing 22-year-old air-supported membrane enclosure.

Completed Structure

In late 2008, Universal Fabric Structures was awarded the contract to complete the $1M refurbishment.

The replacement structure was required to be a clear-span design with curved roofing in the shape of a dome. PVC tensile fabric with a blue and white colour scheme was specified to match the existing structure design.

Key design criteria for the upgrade included:

  • Improve functionality and visual appearance
  • Provide a comfortable internal atmosphere without excessive heat or humidity, through all seasons of the year
  • Make it possible to open the sides in summer for weather control
  • Incorporate a mechanical ventilation system and a suspended internal ceiling liner within the roof space to aid internal environmental control

  • Structural steel framing to have corrosion protection suitable for an indoor chlorinated pool
  • Existing air-supported membrane to be removed and recycled in accordance with the ACT “No Waste” strategy.

Previous Air Supported Membrane

The Supa-Span-C design was customised to incorporate key project requirements. The steel truss framing was engineered to integrate the required electrical and fire detection systems, and manufactured with a special three-coat high build paint.

To avoid erosion Ferrari 702s membrane was chosen to clad the structure with the 502s range selected for an internal liner. With the use of translucent membranes allowing natural transmission of sunlight, the requirement for daytime lighting has been significantly reduced.

To support and regulate climate control, a mechanical ventilation system operates between the external membrane and interior liner creating an insulation air gap, and mesh vents along the sides of the structure provide the required air and moisture release.

A retractable curtain walling system has also been implemented to allow cross ventilation during warmer weather.

The existing air supported structure was dismantled and recycled using the Texyloop system, this involves the closed loop method of recycling polyester-PVC composite textiles.

The installation was completed in approximately four weeks.

www.fabricstructures.com.au