IYU Recreation Reserve
Creating a World-Class Athletics Facility
Victoria

The Cardinia Shire Council aimed to create an inclusive, high-quality athletics facility that would not only serve the needs of various athletic clubs but also attract a broader range of user groups from the surrounding regions.

The primary challenges included:

• Developing a multi-use athletics facility that adhered to the World Athletics standards.
• Ensuring the facility was accessible and catered to disabled athletes, including provisions for accessible parking, ramps, and track access.
• Designing a facility that incorporated diverse athletic disciplines such as running, jumping, throwing events, and steeplechase.
• Managing the project within budgetary constraints and tight timelines while ensuring high-quality deliverables.

The geotechnical investigation identified concerns with the existing site subgrade, highlighting that was not desirable to construct an athletics track and field facility on.

SPORTENG provided a full suite of engineering and consultancy services to meet the Cardinia Shire Council's objectives. Our approach encompassed the entire project lifecycle, from the concept phase through to construction documentation and tender assessment.

Key components of our solution included:

Detailed Design and Documentation:

• Developed a comprehensive design adhering to the World Athletics (WA) track and field facilities manual, ensuring international standards were met.
• Designed a synthetic 400-meter, 8-lane running track with a 110-meter, 10-lane straight, including an accessible outer lane for disabled athletes.
• Incorporated specialised facilities for long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, discus, hammer throw, shot put, javelin, and steeplechase, each designed with synthetic surfaces for durability and performance.
  
  

Inclusive Design Features:

• Implemented accessible track access, ramps, and parking facilities to cater to disabled athletes.
• Designed irrigation systems utilising recycled water, supporting sustainability and reducing operational costs.
• Integrated floodlighting and electronic scoreboards to enhance usability during evening events and competitions.
  
  

Comprehensive Project Management:

• Provided full documentation for tender processes, including plans, specifications, schedules, estimates, and reports.
• Assisted with authority approvals and prepared all necessary documents to ensure the project proceeded smoothly and within regulatory frameworks.
• Delivered "Issued for Construction" drawings, enabling the construction phase to commence without delays.

The collaboration between SPORTENG and the Cardinia Shire Council resulted in the successful delivery of a world-class athletics facility at the IYU Recreation Reserve. The completed athletics track and field facility meets WA standards and provides a safe, accessible environment for athletes of all abilities. The synthetic surfaces and specialised areas for various athletic disciplines ensure a high-quality user experience.

Additionally, the new facility serves as a central hub for athletic activities in Cardinia, attracting local and regional clubs, schools, and community groups, thereby promoting healthy lifestyles and community participation in sports. The project also highlights SPORTENG's commitment to sustainable design practices, using recycled water for irrigation and integrating energy-efficient floodlighting, reducing the facility's environmental footprint.

Cardinia Shire mayor Jack Kowarzik said, “Sport is a huge part of Aussie culture, and Cardinia Shire is one of the fastest growing areas in the state, so to be able to provide our growing community with new sporting facilities is a great thing. Not only will the new track and field benefit local athletics clubs here in Pakenham, but also the wider community who can use it all year-round.”

Source: Off to a running start