Cooktown Bowls Club Canopy
Project Details
Location: Cooktown, QLD
Completion Date: September 2015
Size: 1770 sqm
Fabric: PTFE - Chukoh FGT800
Client: Cooktown Bowls Club
The Cooktown Bowls Club Canopy, situated on the banks of the Endeavour River, stands as a remarkable testament to the skillful engineering of a large-span tensile structure in a challenging tropical location. Overcoming obstacles such as a high water table, proximity to a marine environment, cyclone-prone conditions, and considerable distance from a major airport, MakMax successfully delivered a TensoSport-MAX Hawksbill canopy that not only shields local bowlers from tropical heat and monsoon rains but also harmonizes with the breathtaking Wet Tropics surroundings.
The Brief
Located in the stunning Wet Tropics of Queensland, a region characterized by breathtaking scenery and rugged topography, including rivers, gorges, waterfalls, and mountains, careful consideration was given to the potential impact of construction and the resulting structure on the natural surroundings.
Throughout the design and consultation process with the Cooktown Bowls Club, MakMax successfully crafted a weatherproof bowling canopy with a low profile. This intentional design choice aimed to complement, rather than dominate, the lush surrounds.
The Materials
To withstand the cyclone-prone North Queensland environment and high water table, MakMax opted for robust HDG (hot-dipped galvanized) steel columns on screw-pile foundations, providing durability and corrosion resistance. The supporting arches, finished in rugged HDG, further enhance the structure’s resilience.
The choice of Chukoh FGT-800 PTFE fabric for the canopy, featuring an exceptionally fine woven glass fiber base cloth, ensures outstanding strength, high tensile strength, and tear resistance. PTFE’s proven weather resistance makes it an ideal solution for enduring extreme temperatures, UV radiation, and harsh weather conditions prevalent in tropical environments. Notably, PTFE’s resistance to degradation from sunlight and moisture, along with its resistance to mold, mildew, and staining, contributes to the canopy’s longevity, minimizing the need for frequent replacements or repairs.
The Result
The Cooktown Bowls Club Canopy not only meets the functional requirements of sheltering bowlers but also exemplifies MakMax’s expertise in navigating the intricacies of constructing a resilient tensile structure in a challenging tropical locale. This project stands as a testament to innovative engineering, thoughtful material selection, and a harmonious integration with the unique natural surroundings of the Wet Tropics.
The Cooktown Bowls Club Canopy stands as an enduring symbol of successful engineering, seamlessly blending functionality, resilience, and aesthetic harmony with the tropical beauty of its surroundings.
