The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub: Stage 2

We are excited to have many Coffs Coast-based contractors working with the project team on this exciting project.

Here are some Questions and Answers so the Coffs Coast residents can learn more about the businesses (and the people behind them) contracted to work on ‘The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub: Stage 2’ project.

Q. What does your business do and what is your involvement in The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub Project: Stage 2?

A. GHD are proud to offer our Clients local understanding along with our ability and experience to provide a diverse range of professional project services. These include Town Planning, Civil Engineering, Environmental services such as contaminated land investigations, waste management and ecology, Structural Engineering and Building Services, Water and Sewer Services, Geotechnical Engineering, Marine and Coastal Engineering and Project Management.

GHD undertook the flood modelling, civil and structural design for the Sports Hub Project Stage 2.

Q. When will we see you/your team onsite, and how many people will you have working on the project?

A. We undertook site investigation during the early stages of the project and may undertake inspection of the works as the construction progresses. We have had up to 10 people working on this project at any one time.

Q. Tell us about your connection to the Coffs Coast... are you a local or a visitor?

A. We have been established for over 32 years in Coffs Harbour and employ 20 local residents, but also have the support of an Australian and World Wide network for larger projects if required.

Q. What's your favourite thing to do in your down time on the Coffs Coast?

A. Popular activities undertaken by our people are cycling, kayaking, swimming, diving and walking on our regions beautiful beaches and trails.

Q. When it comes to sport, are you a player or a spectator? And have you done either at the current Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park precinct?

A. Many of our people actively partake in sport, but also take great enjoyment in watching our children participate in a wide range of activities, many of these are undertaken at the Sports Hub. Our team members for the project have attended various events at the Stadium, including T20 matches, A-League and Elton John.

Q. What do you think this Stage 2 Regional Sports Hub upgrade will mean for Coffs Harbour?

A. Building additional and an enhanced level of sporting facilities will not only offer local residents the opportunity to join in on more activities, but also build on Coffs Harbour’s reputation as an excellent sports host. This leads to more events being held, bringing a greater economic benefit to the Coffs Harbour community. Having attended various events at the Stadium over the years, it’s been obvious that it is a high class and well run facility that can easily be a true regional sports hub for New South Wales local and professional sports teams.

Thanks Rowan and Team!

https://www.ghd.com/en-au/index.aspx

We are excited to have many Coffs Coast-based contractors working with the project team on this exciting project.

Here are some Questions and Answers so the Coffs Coast residents can learn more about the businesses (and the people behind them) contracted to work on ‘The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub: Stage 2’ project.

Q. What does your business do and what is your involvement in The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub Project: Stage 2?

A. We are concrete sub-contractors. We constructed the new concrete paths linking the stadium to Hogbin Drive and surrounds, We are currently in the process of building the new Amenities block on Leisure Park 1 & 2 with Lianda Constructions.

Q. When will we see you/your team onsite, and how many people will you have working on the project?

A. Both projects are almost complete, and we have 15 workers on site.

Q. Tell us about your connection to the Coffs Coast... are you a local or a visitor?

A. Very local. Farlows started as a one man operation back in 1952 (68 years ago) when Fred Farlow commenced concreting works in the Coffs Harbour district. We have expanded over the years employing up to 30 staff working on projects from the Hunter region in the South, North to the Queensland border, and inland to Tamworth and Moree.

Q. What's your favourite thing to do in your down time on the Coffs Coast?

A. We have a diverse range of interests in our team. Many enjoy fishing, camping and 4 wheel driving on the Coffs Coast.

Q. When it comes to sport, are you a player or a spectator? And have you done either at the current Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park precinct?

A. Spectator at both the Aussie Rules and Cricket.

Q.What do you think this Stage 2 Regional Sports Hub upgrade will mean for Coffs Harbour?

A. Excellent. It will attract major sporting events & entertainment to the area.

Thanks Steve!

We are excited to have many Coffs Coast-based contractors working with the project team on this exciting project.

Here are some Questions and Answers so the Coffs Coast residents can learn more about the businesses (and the people behind them) contracted to work on ‘The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub: Stage 2’ project.

Q. What does your business do and what is your involvement in The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub Project: Stage 2?

A. AKE provides a service of both design and construct of sports field power and flood lighting.

Q. When will we see you/your team onsite, and how many people will you have working on the project?

A. Soon, a team of 5 will be working on the project.

Q. Tell us about your connection to the Coffs Coast... are you a local or a visitor?

A. AKE are all locals and the Company has been operating in the area for 32 years.

Q. What's your favourite thing to do in your down time on the Coffs Coast?

A. Boating and Flying.

Q. When it comes to sport, are you a player or a spectator? And have you done either at the current Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park precinct?

A. I'm a retired soccer player and have played at the Stadium.

Q. What do you think this Stage 2 Regional Sports Hub upgrade will mean for Coffs Harbour?

A. It’s an additional bonus to the Coffs Coast as our area continues to grow, the new facility will assist with accommodating more activities.

Thanks Alan!

https://www.ake.net.au/

Email to Stakeholders:

The extension of the existing Amenity Block between Leisure Park 1 & 2 is well under way with all service ducting in place, main slab and blockwork complete. The steel framing will be erected this week.

The below photo is looking south. The large windows are the canteen service windows facing into the breezeway between existing change rooms, and you can see the doorway into one of the change rooms that faces the western fields.

Below: Looking North

The anticipated completion date for the change rooms is October 2020.

The new turf playing field is also progressing as anticipated. Below is a progress photo, and all underground services are now installed (sub surface irrigation and drainage), and an interim sand blanket also in place. The final stages which will take place in August/September will include the installation of the remaining sand layer, playing surface turf, and sports lighting. Depending on the rate of grass growth, we hope this field to be ready for play after turf establishment expected in January 2021.

Below: Sports lighting onsite ready for install.

In addition to the above, the Bulk Earthworks contract which also includes carparks and entry roads will be issued for tender this week.

The Final Plans and Technical Specifications document for the Synthetic Fields has been finalised and distributed to stakeholders for any final feedback, and will be issued for tender next week.

Once the above two major contracts have been appointed, the final component of the project, being the new amenities building to service the synthetic fields, will go through final detailed designs and then be issued for tender.

In summary, exciting times onsite with the Regional Sports Hub Stage 2 progressing nicely. If you have any questions please feel to reach out, and we will continue to keep you updated.

We are excited to have many Coffs Coast-based contractors working with the project team on this exciting project.

Here are some Questions & Answers so the Coffs Coast residents can learn more about the businesses (and the people behind them) contracted to work on ‘The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub: Stage 2’ project.

Q. What does your business do and what is your involvement in The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub Project: Stage 2?

A. G2 Architects is an architectural company and we have been involved in the design of new and refurbished change rooms and amenity blocks.

Q. When will we see you/your team onsite, and how many people will you have working on the project?

A. We have 2-3 people working on this project and you may see us on site during the construction of the amenity blocks and change rooms.

Q. Do you have many local subbies working with you, if so tell us about them?

A. We have mostly local sub consultants working us; Structural Engineer, Hydraulic Engineer and Interior Designer.

Q. Tell us about your connection to the Coffs Coast... are you a local or a visitor?

A. Ann has lived and worked on the Coffs Coast for over 40yrs. Oliver was born and raised on the Coffs Coast and returned to begin working here 10yrs ago. Scarlett was also born and raised here and has been working in Sawtell for 4 years after returning from Newcastle.

Q. What's your favourite thing to do in your down time on the Coffs Coast?

A. We are big supporters of the arts. You can also find us in the surrounding national parks and beaches during our downtime.

Q. When it comes to sport, are you a player or a spectator? And have you done either at the current Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park precinct? Spectator.

A. Spectator. The most recent event we attended was in the stadium and that was Elton John.

Q. What do you think this Stage 2 Regional Sports Hub upgrade will mean for Coffs Harbour?

A. The upgrade of the surrounding area of the Regional Sports hub will now effectively complement the stadium facilities. This whole precinct can work together for large outdoor events such as Elton John, whilst providing a regional centre for larger sports events and carnivals.

Thanks Ann, Oliver & Scarlett!

g2architects.com.au

The consolidation of the Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park (CCSLP), Coffs Harbour Education Campus, Southern Cross University and the Coffs Harbour Health Campus into a Regional Sports Hub has taken a significant step forward following today’s announcement of a $10m grant for Stage Two from the NSW Government’s Regional Sport Infrastructure Fund.

“This project will deliver sports facilities and infrastructure that meet the needs of all genders and people with a disability, as well as physically and strategically connecting the Coffs Harbour Health Campus, the Coffs Harbour Education Campus, and the Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park Precinct,” said Nikki Greenwood, Council’s Group Leader City Prosperity.

“The main objective of the project is to connect the sports sector and other complementary services physically, and through shared provision, for athletes and research students, leading to increased levels of participation for local sportspeople.

“As well as building on the opportunities for emerging and elite athletes, the Regional Sports Hub will help grow the local economy through the hosting of more and larger events. Economic modelling suggests that this stage of the project will create nearly 70 jobs during construction and a further nine jobs into the future. Work is already well under way on Stage One of the Regional Sports Hub – the current $13.4m joint Council and Australian Government-funded upgrade of C.ex Coffs International Stadium.”

The Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub Stage Two includes:

• Three new fields (two synthetic and one grass) at CCSLP, with subsurface drainage and Australian Standard lighting;
• A new amenity block and extension to existing amenities including new change and officiating rooms, storage and canteen;
• A new car park and access road for new fields and much needed major event parking;
• Connectivity throughout the precinct, including new shared paths between the sports, education and health campuses;
• Business case and studies for a proposed Stage Three (a regional indoor sports facility).

Professor Les Christidis, Head, Coffs Harbour Campus, Southern Cross University said: “Southern Cross University is a long-time strategic partner of Coffs Harbour City Council and has been working collaboratively to develop a shared vision for the city as a sporting and healthy city.

“Through our presence at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus, we are pursuing the development of a significant health sciences specialisation that will be housed in a flagship new $12m Stage 1 Health Sciences Building, which will provide specialist education, research and community service provision in sport and exercise science, sports psychology, occupational therapy, and indigenous health.

“Improving the connectivity between the education, health and sports campuses through the regional sports hub will provide myriad opportunities for our students and all users of each of these vital facilities.”

Email to Stakeholders:

By way of an update on the Regional Sports Hub Stage 2 project, a number of exciting things are starting to happen onsite, and we would like to keep you in the loop.

Above is a reference map to help navigate the various areas of the project.

A) Firstly, we have broken ground with the commencement of the new Turf Field.

NuTurf Australia Pty Ltd are leading this component of the project. At this stage the field location has been surveyed, with clearing and levelling taking place at the moment. In the near future, irrigation and drainage will be installed and capped with sand until the weather warms sufficiently to grow grass. In August we expect to complete the work with the final layer of top soil, sand and turf. Depending on the rate of grass growth, we hope this field to be ready for play after turf establishment expected in January 2021.

B)Extension of the existing amenity block between Leisure Park 1 & 2. We are pleased to advise that Lianda Constructions have been awarded the contract for the extensions. Construction will start on June 10, and expected to be complete in October 2020.

Steve Case (Project Manager) and Andrew Knott (Owner) from Lianda onsite (Below).

Final Plans (Below)

C) Connecting the Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park, with the Coffs Harbour Education Campus and the Coffs Harbour Health Campus; shared pathways are all complete, now linking these three key assets of sport, health and education together for pedestrians.

Above: Footpath running from Stadium Drive into the Leisure Park precinct

Above: construction of pedestrian refuge on Hogbin Drive (now complete)

Above: Footpath and pedestrian island for safer pedestrian crossing on Stadium Drive.

D) Synthetic fields are now in the final stages of design. Thank you to all that have contributed to the development of these plans. We will distribute the final plans shortly before they go to tender next month.

E) New Change Room Plans (to service the new Synthetic and Turf fields) are also in the final stages of design. Thank you to all that have contributed to the development of these plans and as above, we will distribute the final plans shortly before they go tender next month.

In addition to the above updates, we are also close to finalising the civil details (roads and carparks), and the lighting contract has been awarded to Allan Kneale Electrical, who will install the sport lighting across both the turf and synthetic fields.

If you have any questions regarding the project, please feel free to reach out. We will be sharing the final plans for the synthetic fields, and new change rooms as soon as they are available.