Case Study
Sleeman Sports Complex Heat Pump Upgrade
Here's a showcase of past work completed by SABE Services Group
Client: Stadium Queensland
Sector: Leisure
Duration: 3 months
SABE Services Group recently delivered a comprehensive heat pump upgrade for the outdoor pool at the Sleeman Sports Complex on behalf of Stadiums Queensland. Following a successful tender submission, our projects team managed and executed the full scope of works, including the installation of new high-efficiency heat pumps, circulating pumps, associated pipework and valves, flow meters, a new Mechanical Services Switchboard (MSSB), and integration with the site’s Building Management System (BMS).
The Sleeman Sports Complex is one of Queensland’s premier high-performance sporting venues, supporting the development of elite athletes while serving as a vibrant hub for community sport, health, and wellbeing. Renowned for hosting prestigious international, national, and state-level events, the complex plays a vital role in Queensland’s sporting landscape.
This upgrade ensures the facility continues to operate at the highest standard, delivering reliable and energy-efficient pool heating to meet the demands of athletes and the broader community alike.
Challenge
Delivering the upgrade within an operational facility such as the Sleeman Sports Complex presented significant technical and logistical constraints. The existing plantroom contained extensive mechanical infrastructure, leaving limited available space for additional pipework and equipment while maintaining safe access to essential services.
The works required modifications to live pool system pipework, creating inherent risks associated with integration into operational infrastructure. Coordination with the incumbent pool contractor added further complexity, with interfaces between multiple stakeholders needing to be carefully managed.
In addition, the new heat pumps were to be positioned in a different location to the original units, necessitating new pipework and electrical cable routes, including a requirement for new core holes to accommodate the additional services. A further critical constraint across the project was the requirement to maintain uninterrupted pool operations, with only a limited shutdown window available to complete the final system changeover.
Solution
To address restricted access within the plantroom and ceiling void, SABE Services Group created a new access opening through the external blockwork, enabling safe installation of new pipework and ensuring improved long-term maintenance accessibility. New plinths were installed in place of the existing to suit the new circulating pumps.
Close coordination with the incumbent pool contractor enabled thorough pre-commissioning activities, including testing of isolation valves to support a controlled and seamless transition to the new heat pump system. The new heat pumps were craned into position with carefully planned lift procedures to minimise disruption to patrons and operations at the Sleeman Sports Complex.
A new dedicated Mechanical Services Switchboard (MSSB) was designed, supplied, and installed to support the upgraded equipment. The existing Building Management System (BMS) was also updated and integrated to provide full operational control of the new plant, ensuring reliable performance and improved energy efficiency across the facility.
Results
Upon successful completion of the works, the new heat pump system was fully operational and seamlessly integrated into the site-wide Building Management System (BMS).
The upgraded system is now delivering reliable, energy-efficient heating performance in line with the facility’s operational demands.
Following the smooth transition to the new equipment, the existing heat pump system was safely decommissioned and removed, completing the upgrade and leaving the site with a modernised, sustainable solution.
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