Sports Facility Engineering
NRL Centre of Excellence
Client
Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Duration
June 2017 - November 2018
Location
Sydney Olympic Park NSW
Expertise
Stormwater Drainage and Utility Services , Urban Spaces
Recognised by NSWRL as the “Best Rugby League Facility in the World,” this state-of-the-art precinct features elite playing fields and a Centre of Excellence seamlessly linked to ANZ Stadium via a tunnel.
Project Scope
- Site mobilisation, including site set up, design and survey
- Subsoil drains
- Demolition, the stripping on vegetation and topsoil and tree removal
- Modifications to existing infrastructure, such as stormwater drainage, irrigation systems and pedestrian lighting
- Bulk earthworks and surface/subsoil drainage improvements
- Stormwater drainage pipes and pits
- Protection of existing underground services including trunk power, sewerage, stormwater and irrigation infrastructure
- Fencing and integration of double entry gates for services/maintenance vehicle access to the fields with additional pedestrian access gates
- Extension of existing public domain interface elements such as ‘green wall’ systems, stepped seating walls, stairways and retaining wall elements
- Provision of a turf training surface in accordance with the separate field performance specification, profile design and construction, irrigation and turfing
- Connection and operational controls for turf irrigation systems
- Provision of power connection and sports field lighting system
- Maintenance of existing emergency service utilities and security vehicle and controlled pedestrian access to adjoining Athletics and Aquatics venues while also servicing the new sports field training facility
- Adaptation/integration of new sports field with existing ANZ Stadium access tunnel to maintain current functionality
Key Challenges
Operating within a live precinct
Delivering the project safely within the high-profile Sydney Olympic Park public precinct required careful planning and management to ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding facilities. Construction activities were coordinated to maintain emergency services, security vehicle access, and controlled pedestrian movement to adjacent Athletics and Aquatic venues throughout the duration of the works.
Complex utility relocation
Significant underground services works were required, including lowering a major sewer main by six metres beneath the sports field relocating high-voltage cables. These works were carefully coordinated to protect existing critical services while enabling the construction of the new elite playing surface, ensuring the long-term reliability of essential infrastructure.
Integration of the new world class facility with existing infrastructure
The project required seamless integration of the new sports field with existing infrastructure, including the ANZ Stadium access tunnel. This maintained current functionality while enhancing connectivity between the training field and Centre of Excellence. The result is a cohesive, world-class facility that supports elite performance and contributes to the ongoing renewal of Sydney Olympic Park.
