QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM
access to solutions that drive customer experience
for operators, whether that is mobile fan engagement,
kiosks to drive down queuing or integrated and
dynamic menu boards.”
Unchartered water
The Country Bank Stadium also features an array of
energy and water saving measures that inspired many
of its design decisions.
The scheme includes 110,000 gallons (500,000
liters) of storage for rainwater, the minimization of
potable use along with the city council’s plan to link
to its recycled water network to the stadium for
watering the pitch and its surrounding landscape.
“Rainwater capture storage from the roof is used for
toilet and post-game wash down and cooling tower
BIM THERE BEFORE
Fans had a chance to experience the stadium long before it
opened its gates courtesy of a free purpose-built app released
on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The app, developed by principal consultant Cox Architecture
and the Department of Housing and Public Works, uses BIM digital
representations of structures, 3D modeling and virtual reality
to showcase the design through a diorama image that users can
rotate on their mobile devices.
Hotspots on the image can be clicked to access artist
impressions, 360° images and 'before and after' sliders that
compare the existing 1300SMILES Stadium at Kirwan
to the new stadium adjacent to the city’s CBD.
Voiceovers and on-screen text provide
descriptions throughout the app.
“We’re really excited to share this leading digital
technology with the public,” explains Mick de
Brenni, Queensland minister for housing and
public works.
This app is just a pre-cursor to the development
of a more enhanced and sophisticated version
intended to cover more aspects of the venue says
a Stadiums Queensland spokesperson.
“The app will further improve the user’s
experience – with a range of solutions being
investigated to improve the fan experience,
including seat bookings, game day information,
food and drink options and the purchasing
of merchandise.”
water demand on match days with a capacity to cover
four major events without refilling,” states Coulson.
As part of the project, 30,000 plants and 111 trees
have also been planted in a variety of large plazas and
landscaped green spaces.
Unlike the old venue, which was buried in the
south-western suburb of Kirwan, the new stadium
resides in the heart of the Waterfront Priority
Development Area, adjacent to the Townsville central
business district, with fans able to easily walk (0.75
miles/1.2km) to the venue from the city center.
There is no public parking at the stadium in an
effort to encourage patrons to take advantage of the
pre- and post-game atmosphere and upgrade to the
city’s public transport network and pedestrianized
interior says Coulson.
“We created a low-grade ramp with access from
the city that sweeps up into the bowl, which encourages
natural movement with no lifts or stairs. This
democratic ideal and ability to circumnavigate the
concourse without changing levels is very exciting
but also important to the strategy to provide the best
experience for all patrons.”
Inside job
A key objective for managing contractor Watpac was
to work with local industries and support local jobs
through a dedicated employment strategy. It targeted
80% of the building hours spent on the stadium to be
by locals, and 80% of the value of the project to be
spent on local subcontractors and suppliers.
“Watpac is putting its commitment to Indigenous
engagement into practice and the North Queensland
Stadium sets a strong benchmark”, explains Indigenous
Engagement Officer James Alley.
“We tried to align the technology requirements
with the labor contingent available in the region to
take advantage of local skills and manufacturing. A lot
of the block work and fabricated elements were made
in Townsville, which upskills the community but also
adds real value to the project,” says Coulson.
The approach was a marked success with 488 North
Queensland businesses engaged in extended supply
chain to the tune of A$232m (US$153m) awarded in
local trade packages.
In addition, 12.2% of the construction workforce
identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people, almost double its original target of 6.6%.
“Queensland is incredibly patriotic and this project
reflects its community, it’s been built by locals and has
a unique and memorable identity that is exiting for the
region,” says Coulson. n
Above: The stadium features
a low-grade ramp that provides
access to an open concourse,
which encourages natural
movement around the venue
Above right: With wind loads
up to 100% higher than in other
parts of the country, the weight
of structural steel had to be
proportionate to these loads
44 www.stadia-magazine.com March 2020
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