An indoor sports facility for the local school and a base for sporting clubs

The Lauderdale / South Arm community had identified a need for a multipurpose sports and community facility in the area.

A working group was established and IDW worked with the community and the Lauderdale Primary School to establish the brief and prepare a concept proposal and budget estimate to obtain funding.

This came from the Federal Governments Building the Education Revolution Program and the new facility was built on a vacant parcel of land in the school grounds.

The brief was to provide an indoor sports facility for the school and to be a base for local sporting clubs.

There was also a need for a large assembly / meeting / performance space.

A single hall court space provides for both these requirements through the use of retractable seating platforms that extend over the court to accommodate whole of school assemblies and large community gatherings.

Performances were considered with provision for a retractable stage.

Smaller spaces adjacent fulfil a green room function and double as a gym / dance space.

A community meeting room is also provided with a separate managers office adjacent.

Generous toilet, shower and change areas are also provided allow along with storage spaces for sports equipment.

The facility was designed with separate student and public entrances at either end of the building.

Natural day lighting of the corridor, foyer and sports hall are provided to reduce lighting costs.

Tilt up concrete slab construction with steel portal frames created a robust building with clear internal spans to maximise flexibility.

Colour and a motif based on the geography of the area are integrated into the building fabric and give the building its unique community identity.