Air dome
Clear-span enclosure with climate, pressure plant, backup, snow and wind criteria, entrances and anchoring treated as one engineered system.
Canada / Decision guide
Air dome, clear-span hall or permanent building for a Canadian sports facility?
Snow, cold-weather operation and seasonal programming can make the enclosure choice an operating decision as much as a construction decision. Define the season, occupancy and maintenance model before choosing the structure.
Destination-specific planning Manual project review Exact-system evidence only
Direct answer
The short version.
Use an air dome where a pressurised clear-span enclosure and winter operating system suit the facility; SARENTA for a structural hall or cover without continuous air-support plant; and a permanent building when the project needs a conventional long-life shell and full services.
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
Structural hall or cover route for clubs, courts and recreation facilities where a framed system better matches the operating model.
Permanent building
Conventional route where building-envelope performance, long life and integrated services justify a full building programme.
Comparison matrix
Canada covered-sport routes
Province, snow, wind and operating season must be confirmed.
| Factor | Air dome | SARENTA | Building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear span | High | High | High by design |
| Snow / winter strategy | Engineered operating system | Structural design | Building design |
| Plant dependence | Core | Normal services | Normal building services |
| Typical fit | Seasonal / year-round large enclosure | Court cover / hall | Full permanent facility |
Project brief
Information worth collecting before quotation.
01Province + city
02Sports + court count
03Seasonal / year-round use
04Snow + wind criteria
05Footprint + clear height
06Heating / ventilation
07Power + backup
08Foundations
09Winter receiving / storage
10Local contractor
Frequently asked
Keep the destination and scope explicit.
Does Apollo recommend one system for every Canadian 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.