Gore Multi-Sports Complex
The Problem
Views of the outside of the Complex
Entrance construction
The project was for two organisations with a common interest: Gore District Council (GDC) and Ice Sports Southland (ISS). GDC had an existing swimming pool heated by a coal-fired boiler which is the cheapest option in this region for heat energy but is not environmentally positive. The facility was in a poor state of repair and in need of replacement. ISS, a private organisation, with a considerable membership, had an existing ice rink in a wool store building that was too small, very energy inefficient and they struggled to keep good ice in the uninsulated building. Both facilities were very old, expensive to run and far from ideal.
Steve Bunting, a member of staff at GDC had been overseas and seen an ice rink and pool connected together (Conceptual statement) but was unsure of the engineering behind such a facility. GDC and ISS identified that they would like to work together and obtain new facilities.
Several important considerations were taken into account in the development of the sports facility.
- The facility had to be highly energy efficient.
- The plant had to run under extreme operating conditions such as high use and very cold weather.
- The budget was tight.
Specific technical requirements included:
- Achieving simultaneous –9 and +45°C flow temperatures with an affordable 'off the shelf' chiller
- Stable operation of the cooling plant
- Making the best use of low grade heat
- Designing a control system to adjust the plant operation in accordance with both changing climate and facilities utilisation
- Preventing freezing of system components due to low temperatures.
- Balancing the heating demands with the heat sources
- Minimum floor area and building height
- Minimum effect on the local infrastructure
- No noise pollution
- Negligible visual impact
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