St Joseph's The Worker Primary School
Breathing new life into a school running track
Victoria

The existing running track was showing signs of deterioration. Challenging ground conditions, including expansive natural soils, required careful consideration to ensure the subgrade performed optimally.

With this in mind, an impervious capping layer was specified to alleviate moisture changes in the subgrade, essentially stabilising the existing moisture conditions of the site.

A crushed rock layer was then applied, followed by the asphalt and acrylic layers on the surface.

Curbing to the perimeter of the area collect rain and storm water flow and feeds into the drainage system.

We approached the project in structured phases, starting with a site investigation and condition assessment. Our engineers completed a detailed visual inspection of the running track, before delivering a Technical Report highlighting our findings and offering clear, actionable remediation recommendations tailored to the site’s specific conditions.

Following the assessment, SPORTENG progressed through concept and detailed design phases and designed a new acrylic surface over a stabilised sub-grade and capping layer that prevents water from entering the subgrade layer. This alleviates moisture changes in the subgrade and greatly reduces the chance of cracking or damage to the acrylic surface above.

SPORTENG also provided construction phase and superintendency services on the project, which assisted the school in ensuring the quality of the construction was up to the standard of the design and the expectations of the school.

Finally, we closed the loop with a 52-week Defects Period. Our team conducted two formal inspections and provided a detailed defects list along with a final letter confirming design compliance.

St Joseph the Worker Primary School now has a safe play surface for its students to enjoy for many years to come. The play surface offers a myriad of activities and sports for the students and incorporates a 4-lane running track that runs around the perimeter of the area, with a long jump run-up and sand pit. Inside this, 2 full-sized basketball and netball courts, with rotating goal post towers, a futsal half court that replicates the goal area, practice netball D and 4-square line markings create a primary school haven.

The revitalised athletics track alongside 2 multipurpose Netball/Basketball courts and long jump, now offers St Joseph’s students a safer and more functional space to run, race, and stay active. 

Our involvement ensured the school received a well-informed, fit-for-purpose athletics surface designed for long-term performance, safety, and enjoyment.

The finished result for St Joseph the Worker Primary School is something the SPORTENG team are very proud of. Our team were delighted to be included in the official opening of the space and to witness the ribbon cutting with teachers, students and families.

On the left - St Joseph's The Worker School Principle Maria Barnes giving a speech in front of the school's students on Opening Day 

On the right - Attendees touring the sports facility during Opening Day

This ceremony reinforced to our team how much these spaces mean to the school, and the level of enjoyment and fun that well-designed, multi-purpose and safe spaces add to any school is invaluable to its students for generations to come.

It is always rewarding to see our projects come full circle, from design notes to a track full of students ready to run!

Want to know more about how SPORTENG supports school sports infrastructure? 
Get in touch with our team or explore more education sector projects on our Projects Page.