State-of-the-art facilities, unite elite performance, community connection and inclusive design.
Written by: Sarah McCarthy, Access Consultant
Opening in late May, the Parramatta Eels new headquarters will provide the NRL and NRLW with state-of-the-art training facilities and new management and administration offices. The $70m project includes the Centre of Excellence and an adjacent Community Centre which will provide facilities for the local community members and the junior league.
Funded by the NSW and federal government, the Hills Shire Council and Parramatta Leagues club, the Centre of Excellence (COE) houses the Eels indoor training centre, gym, saunas, rehab pool, treatment rooms and players theatre and is located on a vast site with five fully sized rugby league fields.
The Community Centre will include:
- a grandstand seating over 1500 people
- community change rooms
- gymnasium
- function space and café
Wheelchair seating spaces are located on the Concourse and are easily accessed from the main entry level via ramps and walkways that are generous in width allowing for the movement of large numbers of spectators on Game Day. Vertical transport is provided through lifts, ramps and stairs in what is an inclusive and accessible facility for people of all abilities.
Designed by Melbourne based architectural firm, HB Arch, the building has been designed to accommodate NRL and NRLW players with training facilities replicated for men and women. The COE has been designed for players who are at the elite level, while incorporating accessible features for the Club management, administration and visitors alike into the design. The club colours of blue and gold provide strong colour contrast throughout both buildings and direct users to entrances, through doorways and main features of the buildings with ease.
The buildings are positioned at the top of a steep hill overlooking the rugby fields. This created accessibility challenges in providing a compliant path of travel to the main entrances of the building. A ramp with a 1:14 gradient was conceived to provide people with mobility issues with a dedicated and direct path of travel from street level to the main entrance of the Community Building.
Accessible sanitary facilities and showers are scattered throughout both levels of the Community Centre and cubicles suitable for people with ambulant disabilities are provided for all community members and rugby players. Ramp access is available from Change Rooms to the field for players and people with a mobility disability.
Central to the two buildings is a ‘Connecting with Country’ meeting place that has been landscaped to provide a place where community members and the local indigenous community can come together to celebrate all the Club and this impressive new facility have to offer, culminating in what is truly a welcoming and inclusive facility to inspire young players and nurture dedicated sports professionals.
Architecture & Access were involved in the project from schematic design stage through to construction stage and worked closely with HB Arch and construction firm Kane Constructions to solve access issues with the outcome being a facility that is accessible and inclusive for users of all abilities.
