Innovative solutions
SMEC was commissioned to review and consider options for consolidating and upgrading the region’s ageing sporting infrastructure. Following our report findings, SMEC was appointed the detailed design phase of the project in 2016. Applying lateral thinking combined with strong civil and structural knowledge, our specialists developed several innovative solutions to ensure the sports hub was architecturally pleasing while also functional and maintainable from an engineering perspective. These included:
- Intricate grading and site design to ensure maintainable and well-drained fields
- A geotechnical system of piles combined with raft slabs to cope with differential movement caused by poor soil conditions in the area
- A structural design of raking beams to ensure architectural features are showcased
- Innovative usage of cantilevered steel beams to provide tiered seating with good sightlines.
Vibrant sporting hub
The detailed structural and civil design of the project successfully enabled the vibrant sporting hub to be created. The new facility successfully injected over $4 million into the local community.
SMEC successfully impacted the project positively with our project scope including the development and detailed structural & civil design work for a function centre, an aquatic centre incorporating a purpose-built gymnastics hall, squash courts, and a swimming facility; and realignment of two ovals hosting Australian Rules Football (AFL), soccer, cricket, and baseball. Features such as onsite parking, new floodlighting, new change rooms, canteen and toilets, and a connection to the existing heritage grandstand were required. Our team leveraged their knowledge of sports facilities and collaborated with traffic, geotechnical, civil, and structural engineers with the Port Pirie Regional Council’s Project Management team to deliver an outstanding facility that injected economic and social benefits back into the local community.