DOCKLANDS STADIUM CONSTRUCTION Written by Gary Thomas

Introduction. Docklands stadium was the first grassed sports stadium to have a retractable roof in Australia. The other added design feature was that of retractable stands on the bottom level. The oval within was built on a concrete base which was also the roof of the underground car-park. This project was the first to use computer based survey equipment (TDS) to control tractor drawn machinery to level the various layers. The following photographs of this project will display a two layer ‘perched water table’ construction.

Base A bitumen based coating was placed onto the concrete to help make it water-proof.

Base Then a plastic ribbed sheet (tanking) taped on top of this to protect the bitumen layer.

Base Drainage pipe was slotted polyethylene. The design of these pipes where like spokes from a wheel, starting from the centre of the oval and pointing outwards to the boundary fence. Held in place by tape.

Base Drainage pipes run into an outer concrete drainage system that also takes the run-off from the stands.

Base Blue metal (2 to 5mm) was then placed over these drainage pipes to hold them in place. At this time the mains and laterals of the irrigation system where laid in place.

Base additions Wickets, goal posts, pits and rollers for grandstands where pre-cast onto the concrete base.

Drainage layer A layer of blue metal was placed onto, and then leveled to a depth of 100mm above the concrete base.

Drainage layer The use of ‘Total Station’ computerised survey equipment was used to achieve all turf levels on the project (no survey pegs).

Drainage layer Levels where continually disturbed by contractors and this TDS leveling method was invaluable. By just powering up the equipment and driving over the affected area to re-level.

Irrigation installation The irrigation system was installed and designed to cater for a number of different sports (varied shapes). The system also had to allow for the retractable seating and expansion and contraction of the stadium.

Topsoil layer The topsoil was installed to a depth of 300mm. The difference with other constructions are that a layer of perforated plastic was placed 100mm below the final surface. This allowed for the easy lifting of turf (3m x 3m x 100mm squares), for future replacement.

Topsoil layer Within this layer the cricket wickets where installed in a replaceable frame and filled with sand.

Topsoil layer The rollers for the retractable grandstand are able to be accessed by removing the below ground pellets.

Retractable grandstand The rollers for the retractable grandstand are under the oval and this can change the ground shape to a rectangle for soccer and rugby.

Turfgrass The turf was laid using ‘mega-rolls’ for the first half (approx.) and turf squares (3m x 3m x 100mm) for the last half when establishment time was limited. Turfgrass type was ‘Legend’ couch.

Construction overview The time frame for completion meant that a number of steps had to be carried simultaneously on various parts of the oval.

Docklands on completion.