Casey Fields Regional Athletics Centre
Project Details
Location: Cranbourne East, VIC
Completion Date: April 2011
Size: 830 sqm
Fabric: PVC - Mehler FR900
Client: Ducon Pty Ltd
The Casey Fields Regional Athletics Centre, inaugurated in April 2011, serves as a hub for training and competitions, including the prestigious Little Athletics Victoria State Championships. One of the most striking features of the centre is the custom tensile membrane grandstand canopy.
The Brief
As part of the centre’s development, MakMax Australia collaborated with Tungsten, the project architect, to enhance the Athletics Pavilion and grandstand. MakMax’s role was to bring to life the custom PVC shade structure envisioned by Tungsten, specifically covering the grandstand seating area of the new Athletics Pavilion. This ambitious project required meticulous design and construction to realise the unique curved leading-edge canopy, seamlessly integrated into the overall pavilion design.
The Concept
The centerpiece of the Casey Fields Regional Athletics Centre project was the creation of an 80-metre long and 6.5-metre wide cantilever grandstand cover with a custom wave-form leading edge. Tungsten’s design vision, with its fluid curves and striking profile, presented both architectural and engineering challenges. Workiong alongside the project’s head contractor, Ducon Pty Ltd, MakMax Australia took on the task of translating this vision into reality, utilising our expertise in tensile membrane structures.
The result was a visually stunning canopy that not only provided shade and protection but also added a distinctive architectural feature to the Athletics Pavilion. The seamless integration of the canopy with the grandstand seating area enhanced the overall aesthetic appeal of the centre, elevating its status as a premier sporting facility.
The Materials
To achieve the desired aesthetic and performance characteristics, Mehler Texnologies FR900 architectural PVC fabric was selected for the canopy. This high-quality fabric offered both durability and flexibility, essential for creating the complex curves and shapes required for the project.
The steelwork supporting the canopy was protected using a multi-layer architectural paint system, ensuring longevity and corrosion protection. The decision to paint the steel black not only provided a bold contrast against the white fabric canopy but also contributed to the overall aesthetic impact of the structure.
The Result
The completion of the tensile membrane roof project at the Casey Fields Regional Athletics Centre represents a triumph of design and engineering collaboration. The seamless integration of the architectural concept with MakMax Australia’s expertise in tensile membrane structures has resulted in a truly iconic feature that defines the Athletics Pavilion.
Spectators and athletes alike can now enjoy events in comfort and style, shielded from the elements by the elegant canopy overhead. As a testament to its success, the canopy has become a focal point of the centre, attracting visitors and enhancing the overall experience of all who visit. With its durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, the tensile membrane roof stands as a shining example of innovation in sports facility design.
