Warren & Mahoney clinches three big sports contracts
Warren & Mahoney has scored the design work for three major sports centre contracts.
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Hawke’s Bay
Warren & Mahoney has scored the design work for three major sports centre contracts.
The architectural firm will design the Eastern Recreation and Sports Centre at QEII Park in East Christchurch and the Mosgiel Aquatic Centre in Dunedin. And a pool complex has also been confirmed as an addition to the Wanaka Sports and Aquatic Facility.
The challenge is to create a public building that can have a personal connection with people in the catchment area, according to Daryl Maguire, principal and sports centre expert at Warren & Mahoney.
The designers want to get away from the concept of the old school pool, which he says was often a cold, dark, concrete block that smelled of chlorine. Modern aquatic centres are light, transparent spaces that put sport on display and become an integral part of the neighbourhood, he says.
Today’s sports centres accommodate a diverse range of disciplines under one roof and are social hubs and health centres. “Their design should have clarity of access, and a welcoming pathway which encourages maximum participation in recreation.
The scale of the recent commissions varies. At the Mosgiel Aquatic Centre, the $14 million budget is earmarked for lane swimming, as well as pools for learners, leisure and warm water.
The $30 million Eastern Recreation and Sports Centre in Christchurch incorporates a 10-lane pool, learn-to-swim pool, toddlers’ and leisure areas, a spa, steam-room and sauna, a gymnasium and fitness studios, as well as meeting rooms and a café.
Avonside Girls’ High School and Shirley Boys’ High School are considering moving to the site, which would enable sharing of facilities and strengthen a community hub concept.
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Chris Hutching
Fri, 11 Sep 2015
Fri, 11 Sep 2015
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Warren & Mahoney clinches three big sports contracts
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