Heffron Centre Maroubra | Sport & Community Facility

Direct Client Randwick City Council
Builder ADCO
Architect Co-Op Studio
Sectors
- Public Domain & Community
- Sports
Services
- Civil
- Structural
Value $58M
Year 2023
Location Maroubra, NSW

Last Project
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Partnership

The Heffron Centre in Maroubra is a transformative community and sporting facility, developed by Randwick City Council in partnership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Designed by CO.OP Studio and delivered by ADCO Constructions, it brings together elite training and administration spaces for the Rabbitohs, a gymnastics facility, multipurpose sports courts and community recreation areas.

Northrop provided structural and civil engineering services for the project, which forms the centrepiece of the wider Heffron Park redevelopment.

Heffron Centre Exterior Structural engineering

Project

The site presented a range of challenges, including sandy, contaminated ground conditions and the presence of Sydney Water assets. Flooding potential also required careful planning of drainage and site levels
The building’s multi-use nature meant that each zone, from elite sports to public recreation, had unique structural demands. The sports halls required long-span roof structures, while the Rabbitohs’ administration areas needed efficient load-bearing frames integrated with open-plan layouts.

Northrop’s structural team designed 42-metre roof trusses supported by RHS purlins to achieve the large column-free spans required for sports activities. The exposed steelwork demanded precision detailing to meet architectural expectations while remaining efficient and constructible.

Our civil engineers delivered a modular infiltration system for stormwater detention, providing a more sustainable and cost-effective solution than traditional tanks. Contaminated soil management was addressed through a re-engineered earthworks methodology that minimised off-site disposal.

Close collaboration between Northrop, CO.OP Studio, ADCO and Randwick City Council ensured alignment between design vision, construction strategy and long-term community needs.

“Northrop have a collaborative approach to problem-solving and were prepared to investigate multiple solutions to design challenges. The team are well informed, professional and enjoyable to work with. It is a pleasure to work alongside Northrop as part of the project team and we look forward to the next opportunity to do so.”

Steven Donaghey | Principal | CO.OP STUDIO

Impact

The Heffron Centre has become a vibrant hub for sport and recreation in Sydney’s southeast, bridging professional and community activity. Northrop’s contribution helped achieve a flexible, efficient and visually striking facility that celebrates inclusivity and local identity.

The project demonstrates how collaborative, multidisciplinary design can transform complex urban sites into enduring community assets.