A model of the project.
Kuwait has designs on Olympic-size complex
01 August 2002
Design work is in progress on an Olympic-sized swimming pools complex and multipurpose arena to be built in Kuwait.
Estimated to cost KD23 million ($74 million), the Olympic-sized Sports Complex is planned by the Public Authority for Youth and Sports (PAYS) and is expected to occupy a site area of 200,100 sq m (20 hectares) in the Ardiya area.
The complex, which will cover a total area of 58,766 sq m, will consist of a swimming pool hall and multipurpose arena built to international standards.
The concept design focuses on a central symmetrical axis oriented north-south, with a mosque on the north and VIP entrance on the south. The multipurpose arena and swimming pool facilities are on either side of the central spine and occupy about 25 per cent of the site. The rest of the site is dedicated to parking facilities with landscaped pockets weaved into the monotonous layout in order to provide parking space for about 2,000 cars and 40 buses.
There are four main entrances to the facility: two at either ends of the central spine demarcated for VIP and athletes, press and staff, while other two on the west and east side dedicated to spectators with separate access ramps from the parking level.
The central spine is landscaped with palm trees - representing an oasis- along pedestrian routes to provide necessary shade. Low ground cover consisting of seasonal herbs and shrubs is used in contrast to the gravel, to achieve a low-maintenance design scheme.
''The main architectural design concept of this complex reflects Kuwait's maritime tradition - pearl diving - and is accentuated by the external building form of a seashell, which is achieved by a ribbed roof space structure,'' says Charles Haddad, project manager for the consultant The Associated Engineering Partnership (TAEP).
Besides the multipurpose arena and the swimming pool hall with its three swimming pools, the sports complex comprises:
The circulation is well organised through access controls and security for the public, athletes and the press, Haddad indicates. ''These have separate entrances: the athletes, press and staff on the north side of the central core, VIPs on south side of the central core, and spectators have entrance ramps on the east and west sides of the complex. For the handicapped -apart from the barrier-free ramps - dedicated hospital-type lifts are provided.''
Apart from safety and functional requirements inside the complex, there is vertical separation of pedestrian movement within the four main levels with the ground floor assigned as the athletes level; second floor - spectators level; third floor - VIP level; and fourth floor - Press and TV level.
Multipurpose arena
The multipurpose arena is designed for world championship level competitions.
With an overall seating capacity of 10,800 and a playing field measuring 65 by 45 m, the facility is suitable for all indoor ball games played in Kuwait and can also host other sports events like judo, wrestling and weightlifting.
For daily training sessions, the large arena can be easily divided into three smaller sections with demountable partitioning. Each of these three areas can accommodate a full-size (40 by 22 m) handrail field. At the end of the longer axis, there will be computerised colour electronic scoreboards and additionally, in the centre, there will be NBA-type four-face electronic board, says Haddad.
In the middle of the grandstands in the central core area, there are 200 VIP seats with service facilities. The topmost level is dedicated for press, TV broadcasting, and sound and light control rooms, offering a good view of the field.
Swimming pool hall
The swimming pool hall's roof shape, central core and basic layout is a mirror image of the multipurpose arena, thus completing the seashell concept, says Haddad.
The hall has a total seating capacity of 3,900 and accommodates two pools designed according to FINA regulations - one measuring 50 by 25 m and the other being a 25 by 16 m diving pool with boards and platforms from 1 to 10 m high.
There is a separate full-size training pool, measuring 50 by 25 m, next to which are two halls dedicated for swimmers' training sessions. Behind the "warm-up" pool is the divers training hall.
Materials and finishes
Most structural elements are of concrete or stone. The high-tech shell will be constructed of steel or glass. To maintain a very high standard of finishes, a wide spectrum of materials will be used such as granite, marble, ceramic tiles and resilient wooden flooring, says Haddad.
