THE CONCEPT

Introduction

The Ashburton Stadium Trust has commissioned the design team to submit a concept design and report for the proposed stadium & aquatic centre for the present and future needs of the Ashburton district.  The proposed site is not specified at this stage of the conceptual design. 

It should be remembered that this is a concept only and the start of a consultative process with the Trust, council, user groups and the community.  Further design studies, detailed client, user group & community feedback, and technical & cost feasibility studies will be required during the design stages to come.

Brief

The brief for this conceptual stage of the project included:

• 6-court multi-use Stadium capable of major events capable of seating approximately 2500-3000 spectators.

• An Aquatic Centre with a multi-use lap pool, plus leisure, toddlers, and spa pools and a separate learner’s pool. 

• Additional aquatic features were to include twin hydro-slides, sauna & steam rooms, and spectator seating.

• Additional dry facilities were to include a sports medicine suite, a gymnasium/weights area, a climbing wall, administration & meeting spaces, concession & corporate areas for events, a commercial kitchen, and wet & dry staff facilities.

• The building should be `quality architecture’ with distinct references to the Ashburton district

• The stadium should be capable of flexible use suitable for day to day use as well as cater for major events

• Reception, entry and café should serve both facilities

• Wet & dry male, female and disabled persons/family facilities & change areas.

• Service, storage and plant space to suit.

• Day to day parking areas (approx 180 provided) plus overflow parking in the reserve (approx 85 shown though this can be extended)

• Bus access available for teams

• Traffic management, both on a day to day basis, and for major events should be considered

• Possible future Velodrome on adjacent site

Design Concept

During the investigations & visits to Ashburton, the design team was struck by the many fine examples of historic industrial, warehouse & infrastructure buildings in the district.  The dominant form of these buildings was the gable end roof, used in many variations.  Though many of the buildings were worse for wear the strong forms of these buildings were the inspiration for the main forms of the proposed buildings.

Hence the stadium and the aquatic centre are a series of gable forms with sufficient height for the activities inside.  In the case of the stadium 6 equal gables were used, each based on the space requirements of a netball or basketball court.  5 similar sized though lower gable forms were used for the aquatic centre where lesser height is required.

The smaller building, the aquatic centre, with its extensive glazing, has been located adjacent to the main entry access road with the hydro-slide tower prominent at the junction.  Along with views into the pool hall, the tower clearly signals the building’s function and advertises itself to both residents and visitors alike.  The 35m x 25m lap pool with its rise & fall floor and movable bulkhead, allows a number of configurations to cater for a large range of aquatic functions.  A variety of other pools are provided to cater for a range of ages, activities and aquatic interests.

The larger, stadium is located with its back to the site, at right angles to the aquatic centre.  Because natural light is undesirable for most of the sports intended for this space, the stadium is effectively a windowless ‘black box’ to allow artificial lighting to be tailored specifically for each use.  To provide flexibility courts 5 & 6 at the end of the stadium are separated from courts 1 to 4 by sliding walls to provide a secondary hall allowing this space to be used while an event utilizes courts 1 to 4.  A climbing wall is located on the end wall of court 6.

The two main buildings are joined by a wide link block with a high souring roof announcing itself as the entry to the building.  It allows a view and access through the middle of the site to the reserve and vista beyond. 

As well as providing the main day to day entry, the link also houses reception, and the café with its outdoor courtyard.  The courtyard, overlooking the reserve through the trees, will receive good afternoon sun, making this a quality outdoor space in the warmer months.

A second entry to the stadium is provided at the centre of the stadium wing for use during events.  This joins a generous lobby and concourse area to accommodate large crowds and joins the reception area at its opposite end.  The concourse also houses concession booths, dry change rooms and toilets for spectators and users. 

This configuration of building forms will assist as a natural barrier to some winds, improving the micro-climate at the front of the complex where patrons approach the building. 

The majority of day to day parking (184 parks shown) is provided in this area with vehicle access from the main entry.  Overflow parking (84 parks shown) for events is provided in the reserve.  Traffic engineering studies will be required to confirm numbers of parks required.

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