Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Innovative Swim Wall enhances pool efficiency and programming at Cockburn ARC

Innovative Swim Wall enhances pool efficiency and programming at Cockburn ARC
February 5, 2019

Looking to manage its aquatic space more efficiently, in May last year the Cockburn ARC took the decision to install an innovative S.R.Smith SwimWall, a decision that has had a dramatic impact on the pool’s efficiency during summer.

With nine water areas, three waterslides, a six court stadium, three group fitness studios and a huge health club space, Cockburn ARC is one of the world’s leading aquatic, recreation and sport facilities. With its first year operations seeing a higher than expected demand on the aquatic facility, the management at the Cockburn ARC looked into options to improve the efficiency of the use of space in the pools.

As a result of their investigations, specialists S.R.Smith were contracted to install a SwimWall Systems™ structure in the outdoor 50 metre pool.

S.R.Smith National Sales Manager, Jeremy Smith explains “a swim wall is an inflatable structure that is permanently fixed to the bottom of the 50 metre pool.

“By filling the wall with air, it moves into a vertical position forming a wall that is designed to fit around lane ropes, and splits the pool in half.  It only takes a couple of minutes to change the configuration. S.R.Smith SwimWalls can be customised to segment a swimming pool into multiple smaller areas in order to maximise pool space for a variety of aquatic activities.”

The installation of the system has allowed Cockburn ARC to configure the 50 metre pool in a number of ways:

• Splitting the pool in half and providing the equivalent of two 25 metre pools
• Inflating the swim wall to just half of the pool so that four lanes remain as 50 metres, and four as 25 metre lanes, and
• Deflating the wall so that the pool remains an all lane 50 metre pool.

Smith added “following the installation Cockburn ARC have been experiencing incredible benefits during the summer months.

“The swim wall has allowed them to accommodate recreation swimmers, inflatables and lap lane swimmers all at the same time. It’s also allowed them to have the indoor 25 metre set up more often in the more desirable eignt lane configuration which means lane ropes align with the pool markings.”

Cockburn ARC which opened in May 2017, was originally designed with a full-sized moveable boom in the original plans which was then removed due to budget constraints. Even when scaled down to a SwimWall built into the pool shell, the structure was then removed from the project entirely.

However, Smith advised “due to the high patronage upon opening, we were asked to install the retro fit SwimWall.

“We completed the project over three days in May with minimal downtime and impact to pool programming.”

From a technical viewpoint the S.R. Smith SwimWall is simple, efficient and effective. From the pool deck, air is pumped into the Australian-made SwimWall which causes it to move into a vertical position within seconds. Lane lines can remain in place during the process. A large stainless steel pin secures the SwimWall to a locking mechanism on the pool wall. To lower the wall the pin is retracted, the SwimWall is gently pushed to one side, and air is replaced with water. The SwimWall moves to the pool floor where it remains when not in use.

Smith concludes “S.R.Smith SwimWalls provide unprecedented pool flexibility and thus more revenue options.

“They allow more swimming pool patrons in the pool at the same time. Wall sections can span the entire width of a pool, effectively doubling the number of swim lanes, or can section off virtually any area of the pool to create space for a wide variety of aquatic activity.”

Click here to contact S.R.Smith via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Images: The SwimWall installed in the 50 metre outdoor pool at the Cockburn ARC (top) and the facility's 50 metre pool (middle).

Related Articles

24th August 2018 - Cockburn ARC gets further recognition with Royal Life Saving Society facility management award

1st March 2018 - Cockburn ARC welcomes one millionth visitor

13th November 2017 - New steps improve access to Cockburn ARC pool

29th August 2017 - Cockburn ARC branding achievements recognised with industry communications and marketing award

31st July 2017 - Cockburn ARC wins Master Builders award

20th May 2017 - Cockburn ARC opening a new ‘facility benchmark’

4th April 2017 - SwimDesk Software to help new Cockburn ARC engage and retain swim school customers

13th February 2017 - S.R.Smith completes SwimWall installation at Griffith University Gold Coast campus

10th July 2015 - S.R.Smith acquires assets of All Fibreglass Products

25th May 2015 - S.R.Smith releases pool basketball features for aquatic centres

5th February 2015 - S.R.Smith expands product range for Australian aquatic facilities

11th November 2013 - S.R.Smith acquires Anti Wave Australia


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

The Jump Pad

The Jump Pad is a safe, flat inflatable made in a variety of sizes which can be used indoor or outdoor. From 3mx3m up to a whopping 9mx21m. Markets include Indoor and outdoor playgrounds, schools,…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Play

 
 

Anti Wave Global

Anti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Sport

 
 

WATERPLAY Solutions Corp

Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Waterparks

 
 

SLE WORLDWIDE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

SLE Worldwide Australia is a Managing General Underwriter specialising in insuring risks in the world of Sports, Leisure and Entertainment. Be it relaxing, playing, organising or watching sports,…

read more

Insurance / Venues

 
 

PathMinder

PathMinder Pty Ltd have partnered with AllUser Industries srl to bring Europe’s most advanced high security portals to the Australian and New Zealand markets. AllUser Industries started to…

read more

Access / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

revolutioniseSPORT

revolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…

read more

Recreation / Sport / Technology

 
 

InterQuad (International Quadratics) 

InterQuad (International Quadratics)  With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

State Wide Pool Services

Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd

read more

Aquatics

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business