Churchill Park
From car park to natural turf sports pitches
Tasmania

Before the redevelopment, the Churchill Park Sports Complex featured two multi-use softball fields with outfields shared by soccer and cricket alongside a large natural turf space utilised by cricket and soccer. An additional challenge was the existence of an unsealed car park, previously a hockey pitch, which presented significant limitations in terms of usability and infrastructure.

The primary challenge for the redevelopment was the conversion of this unsealed car park into two natural turf soccer pitches with a cricket oval overlay and a synthetic pitch. The proposed dual-pitch configuration exceeded the existing footprint of the car park, necessitating meticulous site preparation and earthworks to achieve the required grading and geometry. Furthermore, the flat nature of the site, coupled with limited drainage outlets, required innovative solutions to ensure effective drainage and irrigation.

SPORTENG, in partnership with The Baker Group, undertook a comprehensive design and documentation process to address these challenges. 
The layout of the subsurface drainage pipes was designed to be 45degrees to the sloped surface of the pitches and the irrigation pipework was designed to coordinate with the subsoil pipes and avoid clashed. 

The profile consisted of a 250mm thick rootzone sand layer overlying the shaped imported subgrade material. With a ridgeline running north-south, which divided the two pitches, the 1% surface grade fell towards the eastern and western edges of the turf tablet. A synthetic grass cricket pitch was located between the two pitches to allow multi-use of the new facility.

To future proof the site, the SPORTENG design included conduits and pits for lighting should the council choose to add lighting to the fields at a later stage.

The redevelopment of the Churchill Park Sportsground Precinct has been a resounding success. The new facilities have significantly improved the usability and versatility of the complex, providing a top-tier sports environment for thousands of Northern Tasmanians.

Launceston Mayor Van Zetten praised the project, stating, "The Churchill Park Sportsground Precinct is used by thousands of Northern Tasmanians each week, and this redevelopment will ensure the facility remains one of the region's best."