Case Study
Gold Coast Aquatic Hot Water Heat Pump Upgrade
Here's a showcase of past work completed by SABE Services Group
Client: City of Gold Coast
Sector: Council/Leisure
Duration: 4 weeks
SABE Services Group delivered a comprehensive upgrade to the domestic hot water system at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, replacing ageing and underperforming infrastructure with a modern, energy-efficient solution aligned with current Australian Standards and council requirements.
The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre is a premier swimming and fitness facility located in Southport on the Gold Coast. Originally built for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, it features world-class indoor and outdoor pools, diving platforms, and spectator seating. Today, it serves both elite athletes and the local community, offering swimming lessons, fitness programs, and recreational access in a modern, well-equipped environment.
Our scope included the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of three independent hot water systems servicing multiple amenities across the facility.
Each system comprised new commercial heat pump water heaters integrated with duplex stainless steel storage cylinders, providing reliable and efficient hot water generation with built-in redundancy.
Challenge
The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre presented several access and operational challenges that required careful planning and staged delivery. As a live public facility, it remained fully operational throughout the project, necessitating uninterrupted hot water services to critical amenities such as showers and gym facilities while works were undertaken.
Restricted site access further complicated delivery, requiring tightly coordinated cranage operations and carefully managed logistics to minimise disruption in a high-traffic environment.
The programme was also constrained by strict, non-negotiable deadlines linked to major events, including the Australian National Swimming Championships, leaving minimal margin for delay and placing strong emphasis on precise sequencing and coordination.
Solution
SABE Services Group delivered a reliable, energy-efficient, and compliant hot water solution tailored to the operational demands of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Gaps and inconsistencies in the original tender documentation were identified early, with practical engineering adjustments made to system layouts, pipework, and equipment selection to suit actual site conditions.
As part of the solution, the system was redesigned to improve resilience and operational flexibility, incorporating backup electric heater elements within the storage cylinders and a modular arrangement that allows partial system operation during faults or maintenance.
A staged installation methodology was implemented across all systems, enabling sections to be isolated, upgraded, and recommissioned while maintaining continuous operation and uninterrupted hot water supply. The removal and installation of large heat pumps and cylinders were carefully managed through detailed lift planning, certified rigging, and controlled crane operations within the site’s constrained environment.
Results
The project objectives were successfully achieved, with SABE Services Group delivering a compliant, reliable, and high-performing hot water system aligned with the operational needs of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. A strong balance of engineering precision and practical site execution ensured risks were effectively managed and programme impacts minimised.
The upgraded system provides a modern, energy-efficient solution suited to a high-use public facility, including the installation of five 20kW Rinnai heat pumps and seven 1000L duplex stainless steel hot water cylinders, delivering improved performance, reliability, and long-term operational efficiency.
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