High-tech, High-efficiency, Eco-friendly Universiade Draws Attention

Out of 69 total facilities, only four newly constructed, 65 facilities are refurbished and Nambu University Swimming pool becomes the first facility in Koreato install a multifunctional depth controller Kwangju Women’s University Universiade Gymnasium noted as ecofriendly

Universiade Gwangju 2015 will be drawing attention in regards to its major facilities being high-tech, highly efficient and eco-friendly.

The Gwangju Universiade is aiming to host an Ecoversiade — aside from a handful of facilities that had to be newly constructed under international standards, 65 facilities were refurbished. For the first time in the history of international sports events, the Athlete’s Village is a group of renovated urban apartments, which will be turned over to residents after the games to aid with revitalizing the city. Gwangju Universiade aims for minimizing costs while maximizing efficiency.

Ecoversiade – eco-friendly, low expenditure, high efficiency

Ecoversiade aims to protect the environment and sustain economic efficiency through low expenditures by having as few new construction projects as possible. A total of 69 facilities will be in use for the athletes to train and compete. 45 facilities will be in Gwangju areas, 23 in both Jeolla Provinces, and one in North Chungchung Province. The Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee GUOC aims to make the best use of these facilities already in existence. Only in cases where the facilities already in use could not match international standards were the new ones constructed for the purpose of expanding public infrastructure.

The construction projects of Nambu University International Aquatics Center, Kwangju Women’s University Universiade Gymnasium and Jinwol International Tennis Court. The Nambu University Aquatics Center and the Kwangju Women’s University Universiade Gymnasium are eco-friendly facilities that will be making use of renewable energy to reduce energy consumption.

First in Korea to meet latest international standards: the Nambu University International Swimming Pool

Taking on the image of a water drop and the sun rising from Mudeungsan, the Nambu University International Aquatics Center is also the first in Korea for many reasons. The Nambu University International Aquatics Center has a pool with movable floors that transforms a standard depth pool into a multi-functional pool, allowing a greater number of aquatic activities to take place in a single day. The multi-purpose depth controller can actively adjust the depths of the pool. Through this device, the 3 m. pool can be adjusted between 0 m. -3 m. Conventional pools, however, use depth adjustment slabs, which are essentially large blocks used to adjust the depths of the pool. Public pools are 1.2 m. in depth, and when competitions are held, the water is pumped out and the depth adjustment slabs are removed in quantities according to how deep the pool needs to be. This action usually takes around 15~20 days and lacks cost-efficiency. By installing a multi-purpose depth controller, the depths of the pool may be adjusted on demand, without the need to pump out water.

The highly-efficient stainless pool will be the largest in Korea. Compared to conventional pools, stainless pools are highly waterproof and are easier to manage water quality. The swimming pool will be 26 m. in width with 10 lanes. Conventional pools are usually 25 m. in width, using 8 lanes.

The facility has a total floor area of 19,398 ㎡., a basement floor and three floors above ground with 3,290 seats. The facility also uses renewable energy sources including geothermal energy. Geothermal energy accounts for 21.8 percent of the facility’s use, which is used for heating/cooling purposes according to the seasons. The facility makes better use of renewable energy than conventional buildings, which usually uses 12 percent of renewable energy. After Unviersiade, the facility will be used for the 2019 Federation Internationale de Natation FINA Aquatics Championships.

Eco-friendly Kwangju Women’s University Universiade Gymnasium

The design of the Kwangju Women’s University Universiade Gymnasium is a U-dome. Drawing upon the image of the Eodenugsan Mountains with graceful curves and dynamic designs the facility is an energy conservation facility. In order to reduce expenditures on electricity, recyclable energy sources will be used, such as geothermal and solar energy, of up to 26 percent.

The facility also holds paired seats and inclined surfaces for the disabled and is about to receive official approval for barrier-free spaces. It is also a women-friendly facility, paying special attention to services such as restrooms and internal security.

The facility has met the International University Sports Federation FISU standards and will be used for gymnastics events during the Gwangju Universiade. With a floor area of 27,731㎡, two basement floors and three ground floors, it holds a total of 8,337 seats; 6,503 fixed and 1,834 movable. The movable seats will allow the gymnasium to be used for multiple purposes like concerts and conventions once the Universiade is over.

International standards for Jinwol International Tennis Court, Gwangju International Archery Range

The Jinwol International Tennis Court has been built following international standards. The single main court has 3,200 seats, a short court has 650 seats and there are eight sub-courts, for a total of 10 courts. The facility has made use of rebound ace surfacing technology. Athletes on courts with a rebound ace surface are known to receive less injuries to their knees than athletes who played on grass or clay courts. Thus, rebound ace surfaces are currently the favored surfacing method for tennis courts.

The Gwangju International Archery Range follows the international standard of 45,109㎡ site area and 32 shooting ranges. A total of 64 contestants are able to compete. The motif of the exterior design is a bow. It is an eco-friendly facility, using geothermal energy for heating and cooling. The facility has a basement floor and two ground floors, 1,085 seats. After  Universiade, two football fields will be formed from its premises and made open to the public.

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