Iona College
Designing a brand new natural turf oval for school use
Victoria

SPORTENG provided the design and documentation to create a turtleback dome surface for the high-quality perched water table, natural turf oval. Being a Greenfield site, extensive works were required to develop an appropriate subbase to ensure smooth construction, and the most success with the Field of Play surface over the long term. Naturally, the school required an all-weather surface that would cope with high traffic and wet weather, so SPORTENG designed an elaborate irrigation and drainage system to allow for year-round use, no matter the weather.

Along with a strong understanding of the pre-construction engineering requirements, and suitable drainage and irrigation specifications, SPORTENG specified synthetic grass at high wear areas, such as gated entries, to reduce wear and tear in high-traffic areas.

This impressive education facility stands out in the area, and its oval is a great example of the standard requirements for a specialist AFL sporting facility. The school’s vision aims to engage and inspire its students, and the high calibre of this natural turf oval provides an outstanding field of play on which to do this, while also giving the school an exceptional sporting asset, now expected at schools and education facilities across the country.

Foundation Principal Damian McKew said, “It’s a wonderful facility that will benefit our existing students and many students into the future.”

Iona College Business Manager Tom Harriott added “It’s a significant investment not only from Iona College and the students but for our community,” he says, “particularly as it becomes a destination school for the Torquay, Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove areas.”

GOOD NEWS from Iona College, Geelong