Taurama Aquatic Centre & Indoor Sports Complex, Port Moresby

NDY was part of the successful Peddlethorp consortium, selected to design Port Moresby’s new aquatic and sports complex.

The consortium was appointed by the Venues Infrastructure & Equipment Committee (VIEC) for the PNG 2015 Pacific Games. Design work occurred during 2012 and 2013 with the building being ready in time for the Pacific Games which started on 4th July 2015.

The facility includes:

• 50 metre FINA standard competition swimming pool
• 25 metre FINA standard warm up swimming pool
• Splash and Play areas
• 3 Volleyball Courts
• 3 Basketball Courts
• Corporate Lounges
• Weight lifting Studios
• Martial Arts Studios

The mechanical services design was required to give full consideration to operating costs in legacy mode. The unit price of power is extremely high in PNG and air conditioning of spaces was restricted to administration areas and the corporate lounges. CFD studies were conducted in order to model a forced ventilation system at very low velocity. The goal was to achieve no more than a 2degC rise in temperature indoors at both the playing and occupied zones within the arena space.

Sports lighting was designed to IBF Standards with the provision to add spotlights to increase both horizontal and vertical illumination for TV.

100% standby power plants were designed for the facility and voltage conditioners were incorporated into the main switch room to ensure appropriate power quality.

Our team also delivered the PA system design and pool water, filtration and dosage systems for each pool.

Other New Zealand members of the consortium were project managers, Xigo; cost consultants, Rider Levett Bucknell; and structural engineers, Structure Design. The New Zealand consortium members partnered with local PNG consultants consisting of Peddlethorp PNG, M&E Partnership, Cost Consultants and Stocks & Partners.