Tweed kicks a goal with its innovative sports pavilion modules

An innovative approach to sports pavilion design is set to provide a distinctive character for Tweed sports facilities, while saving Council time and money. Council is finalising a modular approach to clubroom design and construction – known as the Typical Sports Field Pavilion Design – which will provide uniformity for Council owned sporting facilities.

Council’s Recreation Services Manager Stewart Brawley said the modular design is breaking new ground.

"The Typical Sports Field Pavilion Design provides a handful of standard, cost efficient modules in three different types – clubrooms and canteen pavilions, change room and shower pavilions and toilets," he said. "This means we won’t need to go to the architects and start from scratch to design each new project. It also means the same fittings and materials will be used in each pavilion, providing the cost savings of buying in bulk and enabling Council to replace damaged items more quickly and cost effectively."

Stylised verandas and screens will link each module component of the pavilions, adding to a cohesive and distinctive character that will carry across each Council owned sports facility.

"At the same time, a range of colour options will offer the flexibility to individualise each building, in line with its location," Stewart Brawley said.

The Typical Sports Field Pavilion Design was instigated by Tweed’s Recreational Services Project Coordinator Andrea Hamann, who had seen a similar approach for modular toilet block designs at Gold Coast City Council.

"I’m not aware of any council taking this approach for sport pavilions, but it seemed a logical solution when I started looking at the projects we had planned," Andrea Hamann said. "We have been working with architectural consultants Mode Design to create a design that works for a range of different clubs, while recognising that Council has limited resources so requires cost effective options.

"In 2010, we staged two workshops with sporting club representatives, liaised with Council’s Sports Advisory Committee and had numerous informal discussions and site visits with club representatives to assess their needs and discuss issues, such as vandalism and building function."

Andrea Hamann said the typical design will be implemented as new pavilions are constructed, or existing facilities are replaced or renovated.

"Council currently has 65 recreational facilities, many of which could ultimately incorporate this typical design," she said. "One of the benefits of the modular design is we can easily extend or partially replace facilities as required. The design will be refined as issues emerge to be responsive to things that are working or those that are not."

For further information contact Andrea Hamann on (02) 6670 2649 or email ahamann@tweed.nsw.gov.au