Sports and Aquatic Centre Expansion

Sydney Uni Sport and Fitness (SUSF) provides high-quality sport and recreational facilities.

The University and SUSF are working together on two major construction projects that will enhance our provision of world-class sporting facilities to staff, students and the local community.

The first project is an expansion to the University Sports and Aquatic Centre on the Darlington Campus (see below for details). The second project is the construction of a new grandstand at the University ovals in the north-west area of the Camperdown Campus (see right-hand feature pane).

Project overview

Sports Hall (Stage One) View from Abercrombie Street (Click here to enlarge)

Work has started to provide new facilities to the existing Noel Martin Sports and Aquatic Centre, located off Rose Street on the University's Darlington Campus.

The first phase is underway, expected to be completed in 2013. Phase one will provide two basketball courts, a group fitness studio, a boxing gym and a combat sports area. The second phase will see the construction of a water polo pool and improved landscaping.

Project update: May 2013

Interior and exterior view of the Sports and Aquatic Centre

Construction is advancing quickly on-site. The major structural components of the building are nearing completion. The tower crane was removed on 25 May 2013 which will enable the secondary roof steel and roof sheeting to be completed early June 2013.

Kingspan cladding, louvre and window installation is progressing well. The blockwork and services for the amenities under the grandstand has commenced, and installation of internal services, sewer and substation works is continuing. Placement of the timber sports floor will commence in mid to late June.

The project is expected to be completed by late July (subject to weather conditions).

Project update: April 2013

Progress on the Sports and Aquatic Centre

Work progressed well on the Sports and Aquatic Centre Extension in April, with all the major structural components now complete. The tower crane will be removed from site within the next month and the project team will focus on completing the facade and the internal fit-out.

Immediate next steps:

• Roof sheeting to be completed
• Louvres and windows to be installed
• Precast concrete grandstand to be erected

Ongoing work:

• Installation of services continues at the northern end of the building
• The substation works for power supply to the building is progressing

Once the building becomes 'watertight', the installation of the basketball court timber floor and other sports equipment will commence, including basketball backboards and scoreboards.

Project update: March 2013

Progress on the Sports & Aquatic Centre Extension in the past month has been significant due in part to the tower crane, which enabled construction of the building to be undertaken from both ends of the site. The installation of all the pre-cast concrete panels are now in place, with the new facility due to be completed for mid-2013.

Immediate next steps:

• The final steel roof truss will be placed
• Roof sheeting will commence
• The southern concrete wall will be poured

On-going work:

• Installation of services continues at the northern end of the building
• The substation works for power supply to the building has commenced in the G12 car park.

Project update: February 2013

The new sports hall facility is taking shape

The new Sports Hall facility enters the next phase of construction this month. Activity on site is set to increase, with more truck movements in and out of the site.

The new facility is due to be completed in mid-2013.

• A tower crane will arrive on site mid to late February for lifting of structural steel and precast concrete panels.
• There will numerous truck deliveries later this month. Traffic control will be in place during this busy period.
• The third ground floor concrete slab has been placed.
• The block walls on the ground floor and level 1 at the northern end of the site are complete.
• The level 2 slab has been placed at the northern end of the site.
• Services installation continues to progress, including connection to existing sewer in Lander Street.

Project information

The proposed development will be completed in two stages.

Stage One:
The new sports hall will provide two basketball courts, a group fitness studio, a boxing gym and martial arts dojo.

The access and address to the sports hall will be the existing entry to the Sports and Aquatic Centre, and the sports hall is an 'expansion' of these existing facilities. Access to the building is directly from the existing foyer, achieved through the removal of a squash court.

Stage Two
The pool pavilion proposes a 20m x 25m pool primarily for water-polo, 25m lap training and swimming lessons.

The aquatic program will complement the program within the existing aquatic facility and will include change facilities, storage and a wet deck office space.

The roof to the proposed pool pavilion will resolve the scale of the overall development to the scale of terrace dwellings on Abercrombie Street.

It is also modelled to invite direct north sunlight into the pavilion and will act as a wind scoop for natural ventilation.

Sustainability

Sustainability initiatives being investigated include:

• natural ventilation and mechanically assisted natural ventilation to the basketball courts
• efficient, reverse-cycle air conditioning to the group fitness room, controlled via CO2 monitors to ensure the air conditioning only operates when the room is occupied
• high-efficiency lighting throughout
• multiple lighting stages to the basketball court to reduce energy consumption
• movement sensor control of lighting
• solar-boosted gas hot water.

Traffic

The peak operation times for the centre will be weekday evenings, Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon for infrequent high-profile matches that take place three or four times a year.

The peak for the proposed development will not coincide with surrounding area peak times. Furthermore, the peak traffic generating event currently occurs within the existing development and not all projected traffic generation will be additional traffic in the area.

Parking

The development makes provision for loading and unloading of vehicles, but does not provide additional parking.

Parking restrictions will remain in place in the surrounding residential streets, ensuring non local drivers will not park in the area. A limited number of mobility-parking spaces will be available next to the centre.