Swinburne College’s $24-million sports precinct includes a multipurpose gym with two competition-grade courts to replace the school’s recreation centre as well as an upgraded oval with a viewing deck, new goal posts, coaches’ boxes, scoreboards, and amenities.
Located at Fritsch Holzer Park on Camberwell Road, the sports centre was designed by N2SH Design and is part of Swinburne Senior Secondary College. The main campus of the college is situated approximately two kilometres away on Burwood Road.
The design prioritised accessibility and circulation routes that would be safe, compliant, and durable for both daily school activities and broader community events.
The upgrade also included a teaching kitchen and canteen, a new driveway, car parking, landscaping, and external works.
Funding for the redevelopment comprised $11.503 million from the Victorian 2021-22 Budget, a 2022 state government allocation of $3.226 million, and an additional $8 million from the federal government.
Jane Addis, former Mayor of Boroondara, said the project provided the community with more opportunities for physical and social activities.
She said: “There is extensive demand for indoor and outdoor facilities for many sports.
“As an inner-city council, Boroondara has limited access to additional space to keep pace with the demand – this project significantly improves the area’s ability to cater for several sporting activities.”
The project’s stairways, balustrades, ramps, and handrails were supplied by railing contractor Moddex. The company noted that site surveys indicated the ground conditions were unsuitable for deep footings, despite the brief specifying three stairways and ramps that would rise to four metres.
Moddex said: “The program was tight and the construction team – led by contractor SJ Higgins – needed fully certified barrier and access systems that would install quickly without heavy plant or extensive onsite fabrication.
“[We] delivered 470 metres of handrails to support the 170 square metres of access ramps and stairways – conventional ramps and stairs would have meant deep footings, longer cure times, and more disruption.”
Moddex’s pre-engineered aluminium modules provided pre- configured, site-specific assemblies that were ready to mount directly to in-situ concrete slabs and raised into place, eliminating the need for heavy equipment, specialised tools, or on-site welding.
Installation was also completed 40 per cent faster than a traditional solution, keeping the overall build on schedule.
Since completion, a partnership between Swinburne College and Basketball Hawthorn has seen the basketball organisation become tenants of the newly built sports centre until 2029.
This collaboration marked a significant milestone for both the college and Basketball Hawthorn, providing an opportunity to boost local basketball participation, enhance youth player development, introduce inclusive basketball programs, and foster community engagement initiatives.
Jess Jones, the Chief Executive Officer of Basketball Hawthorn at the time, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that the organisation was excited to collaborate with Swinburne College to further enhance the basketball landscape in the Boroondara area.
She said: “This partnership will not only benefit our young athletes and senior domestic players but will strengthen the connection with our community and provide an opportunity to welcome more members to our Basketball Hawthorn family.”