Sports air dome
Large unobstructed enclosure where pressure plant, entrances, anchoring, backup systems and operating procedures are treated as one facility.
Australia / Decision guide
Air dome, clear-span structure or permanent building for Australian sport?
Covered courts and fields can be delivered through very different structural pathways. The useful comparison is permanence, operating model, climate response, services, approvals and local works rather than span alone.
Destination-specific planning Manual project review Exact-system evidence only
Direct answer
The short version.
Use an air dome where a pressurised enclosure and operating plant suit the facility; SARENTA where a framed clear-span cover or hall is the stronger fit; and a permanent building where the project requires a conventional long-life shell and full building-services integration.
Project decision
Separate the pathways before asking for pricing.
These comparisons are designed to narrow the project route. They do not replace local engineering, authority review or exact-system technical evidence.
SARENTA clear-span
Framed structural hall or cover for court, club and community projects where an air-supported enclosure is not the preferred operating model.
Permanent building
Long-life conventional building route where full envelope, services, fire, amenities and institutional use justify a complete building programme.
Comparison matrix
Australia covered-sport pathways
Wind region, climate, site, local engineering and statutory requirements still control final suitability.
| Factor | Air dome | SARENTA | Permanent building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear span | High | High | High by design |
| Operating plant | Core requirement | Normal services | Normal building services |
| Permanence | Project-specific | Project-specific | High |
| Typical fit | Large courts / fields | Court cover / sports hall | Full leisure / club facility |
Project brief
Information worth collecting before quotation.
01State + site
02Sport / court count
03Seasonal or year-round use
04Wind criteria
05Footprint + clear height
06Heating / ventilation
07Lighting
08Power + backup
09Foundations
10Local approvals + contractor
Frequently asked
Keep the destination and scope explicit.
Does Apollo recommend one system for every Australian sports project?
No. The decision page is a shortlisting tool. Final suitability depends on the actual site, use, dimensions, exposure, selected system, available evidence and local project requirements.
Who handles local engineering, approvals and installation?
Apollo is supply-led. Local engineering, approvals, foundations, services, installation and other site works remain with the appointed local project team unless a written project scope expressly includes something different.
Is pricing calculated automatically from this guide?
No. Apollo uses a manual project-brief process so the selected system, quantities, destination, freight and project interfaces are reviewed before pricing.
Next step
Turn the shortlist into a destination-specific brief.
Send the site, dimensions, use, quantities, exposure information and known local requirements. Apollo can then review the relevant systems, evidence, freight and supply scope.