TECT Arena at Baypark

• 13,000 sq m 
• 9 sports courts: a 6 court area and a 3 court
• multi-purpose sports and events auditorium
• with stage area
• 5 meeting rooms
• 2 general ‘circulation’ areas
• Offices
• 1 large foyer 

Floors

Both the 3 and 6 court spaces feature the best available timber sprung floors. The sprung timber floor system provides an “area elastic” floor which responds to the various needs of sports in terms of support, give and feel as athletes use the surface, including ball rebound characteristics - especially important for basketball. This system starts with very careful attention to the level of the underlying concrete slab. Over that goes a polythene moisture control membrane with laminated battens and finally the hardwood flooring. Sustainably harvested beech is the timber being used. Line marking for the various sporting codes and sealing of the surface finishes the job. 

Lighting and Acoustics 

The 6 court area has natural lighting which will eliminate the need for electric lighting much of the time. Lighting in the 3 court area is adjustable to suit the level and type of activity. The centre court has lighting capacity of 1100 Lux which is bright enough for TV coverage. The 3 court area has acoustic treatment to allow indoor events to occur without breaching noise limitations. This treatment works both ways in that it does not let much noise out but also insulates the 3 court area from most of the speedway noise.

Safety

The facility is strongly designed for earthquake and fire protection.  Protection against liquefaction that affected Christchurch properties so badly has been factored into the design. The foundation work included mixing over four million kilograms of cement with the underlying soils to strengthen them. Smoke extraction, a full sprinkler system, automated smoke curtains (which separate people from smoke), monitored alarms and auto door openers all feature.

The building is designed with adequate doorways and signage to evacuate people within stringent Fire Safety regulation times and total numbers of patrons are managed to ensure that is achievable.