PARALYMPICS GB TRAINING

LOCATION:

Team Bath, The Department of Sports Development, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK

PROJECT BRIEF:

Danco supplied a marquee on an elevated roof terrace to provide hospitality and catering areas for the ParalympicsGB camp at University of Bath.

Danco marquee hire were delighted to be involved with the project and also providing a solution to an intriguing situation at the Team Bath HQ at University of Bath who were hosting a training camp for the ParalympicsGB Team in the run up to the Paralympics in 2012. The initial enquiry seemed straight forward enough; provide a facility for hospitality and catering for 350 guests adjacent to our existing Sports Cafe.

The challenging aspect became apparent when we were told that the area adjacent to the sports café was on a suspended roof terrace, under which ran a 100m indoor running track and our only access was via an 18m staircase. Understandably the University of Bath were very conscious of protecting the terrace and the running track below from any damage to the surface of the terrace or the sub-structure /roof of the running track.

SOLUTION:

Danco provided full design specifications and method statements to the University on how we proposed to install and secure the structure for them to discuss with their structural engineers for approval.  This installation involved creating a bespoke weighting system which enabled Danco to provide sufficient ballast for the marquee at the same time as not exceeding the loading limit on the roof terrace.  This was a totally unique solution and proved very successful.

The ParalympicsGB Team were at Team Bath for a training camp in preparation for the 2012 Paralympic Games. It is part of a series of training camp preparing the athletes to not only focus on their chosen discipline, but also expose them to the type of environments and situations they are likely to experience when competing in the games. Everything possible was done to try to mimic the experience from the games layouts and accommodation up to and including branding of the sites. ParalympicsGB already has a great pedigree in competitions and with this type of preparation should be given every chance of increasing the medal tally in future competitions. All the athletes should be very proud of their achievements and all at Danco wish them every success for the future.