Air-supported facility
Large unobstructed volume with membrane, pressure plant, backup, entrances, anchoring and services planned as one facility.
United Kingdom / Decision guide
Air dome, clear-span structure or permanent building for UK sport?
Year-round court and field capacity can be created through several structural routes. Wind, rain, occupancy, planning, operating cost and the intended life of the facility should be resolved before the product family is selected.
Destination-specific planning Manual project review Exact-system evidence only
Direct answer
The short version.
Use an air dome where a pressurised enclosure and plant strategy fit the operation, SARENTA where a framed clear-span hall or cover is a better fit, and a permanent building where the project needs a full conventional building envelope and 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
Framed clear-span hall or cover for clubs and facilities that want structural shelter without air-supported operation.
Permanent building
Traditional long-life route for leisure, school and club projects needing a full building shell and extensive services.
Comparison matrix
UK covered-sport pathways
Planning and local technical requirements remain project-specific.
| Factor | Air dome | SARENTA | Building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Envelope | Membrane + air support | Structural membrane / cladding by system | Conventional building |
| Operating plant | Core | Lower | Normal building services |
| Permanence | Project-specific | Project-specific | Permanent |
| Typical fit | Large courts / fields | Court cover / hall | Full leisure / sports facility |
Project brief
Information worth collecting before quotation.
01Nation + postcode
02Site + operator
03Sports + court count
04Wind / rain exposure
05Clear height
06Heating / ventilation
07Lighting
08Foundations
09Planning / consultant pathway
10Local contractor
Frequently asked
Keep the destination and scope explicit.
Does Apollo recommend one system for every UK 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.