The Story
How we Delivered Singapore’s World-Class Aquatics Championships Infrastructure
When Singapore was selected to host the prestigious World Aquatics Championships in 2025, the engineering challenge was unprecedented: transform multiple venues across the island into world-class aquatic facilities capable of hosting 2,500 elite athletes from nearly 200 countries—all in under six months.
For KIN, this represented our most ambitious and technically demanding project to date. What emerged was not just successful event infrastructure, but a testament to Singapore’s engineering excellence and our company’s ability to deliver the impossible under pressure.
Three Venues, One Vision: Creating Championship-Grade Infrastructure
The WCH Arena: From Car Park to World-Class Venue
Our journey began with an empty 250,000 square foot car park next to Leisure Park Kallang. In just six months, we transformed this space into the spectacular World Aquatics Championships 2025 Arena.
The arena’s competition pool became the centrepiece: 50 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 3 meters deep, holding 3.9 million litres of water maintained at optimal racing temperatures of 25-28°C. The 3-meter depth wasn’t arbitrary—it was specifically determined to reduce turbulence and create ideal conditions for world-record performances.
Spectator experience received equal attention. We accommodated about 4,800 spectators with optimised sight-lines, enhanced by 177 meters of LED screens strategically positioned throughout the venue. The impressive 29-meter screen on the south wall alone represents screen length equivalent to 20.5 times the height of Singapore’s iconic Merlion.
Southeast Asia’s First High Diving Tower: Engineering Against Nature
Perhaps our most visually striking achievement was constructing Southeast Asia’s first-ever high diving tower at Palawan Green, Sentosa. Standing majestically at 37 meters against Sentosa’s pristine coastline, this temporary structure pushed the boundaries of precision engineering.
The tower’s foundation—what appears to be a simple circular pool—is actually a sophisticated 21-tonne steel structure comprising 108 precisely manufactured curved panels. Each panel had to be manufactured to exact specifications, as even slight deviations could compromise the entire structure’s integrity.
The assembly process demanded extraordinary precision: 6,400 bolts secured the panels using digital torque wrenches, while our team monitored panel expansion down to the millimetre as the pool was gradually filled. The 17-meter diameter circular design wasn’t merely aesthetic—it represented the most efficient structural solution for high diving’s demanding requirements.
Weather challenges tested our adaptability. Singapore’s tropical climate caused equipment overheating, requiring immediate solutions like UV-tinted film installation and additional cooling measures. We even encountered orange mould issues on platforms, swiftly addressed through specialised chemical treatment protocols to maintain competition standards.
The Broadcast Nerve Center: Engineering for Global Audiences
Behind the scenes, our most complex challenge was constructing a fully functional International Broadcast Centre (IBC) inside Singapore’s OCBC Arena Hall in just 1.5 weeks. This facility would handle live coverage from multiple venues and broadcast to 150 territories worldwide.
Unlike traditional outdoor broadcast builds, this project required creating sophisticated infrastructure within existing constraints. We installed precision air conditioning systems for sensitive broadcast equipment, coordinated with ongoing arena operations, and implemented noise control measures to prevent mechanical interference with live audio feeds.
Our acoustic engineering proved critical for broadcast quality. We constructed STC40-rated soundproof walls to eliminate external noise while installing double-layer tempered glass panels that maintained visual connectivity without compromising sound isolation—all while adhering to Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority standards.
Innovation Under Pressure: Solutions That Made the Difference
Power and Connectivity: Live sports broadcasting has zero tolerance for failures. Our solution featured dual synchronised generators providing seamless automatic switching between main and backup power sources, segregating technical broadcast equipment power from domestic facility power to prevent interference.
Custom cable tray systems linked the IBC directly to competition venues, while high-speed fibre cables, provided by local telco, connected distant Sentosa venues. Every signal pathway incorporated broadcast-grade shielding to ensure pristine transmission quality from all venues to the central hub.
Logistical Mastery: Complex logistics demanded creative solutions. Installing massive gangways for the open water swimming venue required navigating spatial constraints and protected trees that couldn’t be removed. Our solution: a coordinated midnight operation at 2 AM, complete with police and ranger escorts, to transport components into Sentosa while avoiding traffic disruption.
Environmental Stewardship: Working closely with Sentosa Development Corporation, we navigated delicate tree management challenges around competition areas. Many resident trees featured complex root systems making removal impossible without environmental impact. We developed alternative solutions that worked around these natural features while ensuring optimal sight-lines for sports presentation.
The Results: Global Success Built on Engineering Excellence
The numbers speak to our success:
- More than 125 cameras across three venues captured every competition moment
- Over 280 hours of live coverage produced in 11+ languages
- 300+ broadcast professionals from 20 countries, including major networks like NBC and CCTV
- High diving sessions sold out completely
- More than 2000 athletes took part in the competition
Setting New Standards for Event Infrastructure
The World Aquatics Championships Singapore 2025 showcased more than KIN’s ability to meet impossible deadlines. It demonstrated our unique capability to deliver mission-critical infrastructure that performs flawlessly when the world is watching.
From a 37-meter high diving tower that became Southeast Asia’s first, to a broadcast center handling global transmission, to a world-class arena built in months—we proved that with the right expertise, partnerships, and determination, even the most ambitious engineering visions can become reality.
As Singapore continues establishing itself as a global sports destination, KIN’s successful delivery of this landmark project reinforces our position as the preferred partner for complex, time-critical construction projects that demand both technical excellence and creative problem-solving.
