Everleigh AFL Clubhouse
- Civil
- Structural
Northrop delivered structural and civil engineering services for the Taree Iron Arena, a major redevelopment and expansion of the former Saxby Stadium. Delivered for NSW Public Works in partnership with O’Donnell and Hanlon, the new arena doubles court capacity, supports a broader range of indoor sports and is set to become a vibrant regional hub for the Taree community.
Partnership
The project began with community advocate Steve Atkins, who initiated the vision for a modernised stadium and retained Northrop from the earliest concept stage. When NSW Public Works later took carriage of the project, Northrop remained the engineering partner of choice. The team worked closely with O’Donnell and Hanlon, a respected local family-run builder with whom Northrop has a long-standing relationship.
Project
The redevelopment transforms a small, outdated two-court stadium into a more versatile modern four-court multipurpose arena. It will support basketball, netball, futsal, pickleball, indoor hockey, and community events. Retractable seating also enables the arena to transition into a ‘show court’ configuration for larger sporting and entertainment events. The expanded facility is designed to host regional and state competition, strengthening sports tourism and delivering positive economic outcomes for the local community. Northrop addressed significant site challenges including flooding risk, and widespread corrosion of the existing footing system.
Delivery
As an alternative to traditional reinforced concrete footings, the use of Fibercrete was proposed. Northrop reviewed the proposal and redesigned the footing system to safely incorporate the product. The reinforcement-free application simplified construction, reduced on-site work, and supported the builder’s preferred delivery method. The team also coordinated re-levelling of the building, construction staging and integration with the new extension footprint. Collaboration with O’Donnell and Hanlon ensured efficiency and adaptability throughout the project.
Impact
The Taree Iron Arena is a major uplift for the region. It will provide a safer, larger and more versatile facility for local athletes and families, while attracting visitors and competitions that contribute to Taree’s economy. The project demonstrates how thoughtful engineering and strong relationships can transform ageing community assets into enduring regional infrastructure.
Group pictures by Rick Kernick © Manning River Times/ACM
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