Ballina & Alstonville Aquatic Facilities

Aerial view of Ballina public pool

ProjectBallina & Alstonville Aquatic Facilities

Both pools incorporate a wet edge design to maintain the water level just below the surrounding concourse level, and the state of the art heating pumps are powered by the sun.

The Brief:

Ardill Payne & Partners (APP) was engaged by Woollam Constructions to undertake structural design and documentation for the pool upgrades at Ballina and Alstonville. Works for Ballina involved demolition of existing amenities building and pool, construction of new amenities building, café, pump/filter, storage rooms, new heats 25m Learn to Swim pool, 8 lane FINA compliant 50m pool, covered roof for 25m Learn to Swim pool, pool concourses and landscaped areas. Works for Alstonville involved construction of club house, pump/filter, storage rooms, new heats 25m Learn to Swim pool, 8 lane FINA compliant 50m pool, covered roof for 25m Learn to Swim pool and pool concourses and landscaped areas.

Key Challenges:

The key challenges were that the new pools incorporate a wet edge design to maintain the water level just below the surrounding concourse level, this aspect of the pool designs weighed heavily on structures and concourse designs. The challenges were to control total and differential settlement to be within very tight tolerances, the concourse areas surrounding need to shed storm runoff away from the pool whilst maintaining compliant gradients, and to ensure minimal interaction between the building and the pools to prevent unintended damage to either structure.

Solutions:

The solutions involved detailed review of geotechnical information, investigation of various piling options to refine differential settlements, so that cost effective foundation solutions could be determined and performance criteria met. The new building and covered roofs were isolated from the pool structures where possible and designed to reduce loadings to the pool shells. Concourse slab design and construction was completed in a manner to allow for differential movements and shrinkage of the two elements.

Key Features:

The 50 meter pools are heated and have eight 2.5m wide lanes and the 25m heated enclosed pools have six lanes. There are access ramps into all pools, a wet play splash area for children, covered tiered seating and brand new BBQ facilities and shelters. The Ballina site received a new amenities building and café with an outdoor seating area, and transparent fencing along the Richmond River. The Alstonville site received a new club house.

APP's Role:

APP undertook the Structural design and documentation, set out Survey, Civil design and documentation for site grading’s, concrete pathway layouts and details, certification of works, site inspections of both structures designed by APP and the new pools and RFIs. Detailed pool design for reinforcing and concrete design was completed by Crystal Pools.

Timeframe:

The project was completed within the timeframe Feb 2017 to July 2018.

Budget:

The budget for both projects was approximately $14,000,000.

Key Parties:

  • Woollam Constructions
  • Crystal Pools
  • Dave Bazar Plumbing
  • Glen Monteith Hydraulic Consultant
  • Bond and Associates Chartered Architect

Ballina and Alstonville Aquatic Facilities

Elements of Byron

ProjectElements of Byron

Elements of Byron Resort & Spa is a five-star, eco-conscious resort featuring 103 villas dotted amidst 22 hectares of absolute beachfront paradise. The leisure and conference facilities are nestled in three separate pavilions which mimic the sand dunes framing the resort.

The Brief
The client came to us needing Civil and Environmental Engineering solutions for large tourist development in a very sensitive coastal environment.

Key Challenges
The key challenges we could see for this project were flood prone site with high water table. Flood planning levels and urban runoff issues required a well communicated response to flooding and water sensitive urban design solutions.

APP’s Role
Ardill Payne & Partners undertook the Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering aspects of the project. 

Timeframe
The project was completed in the timeframe 2013 to 2017. 

Budget
The budget for the project was $75m.

Solutions
We overcame these challenges by working closely with Council and the Architect to develop flood sympathetic solutions and a passive storm water treatment train for water quality control.

Key Features

  • Five Star Eco-Conscious resort
  • 103 Villas
  • Leisure & Conference facilities
  • Enormous Infinity Edge Lagoon Pool
  • 65,000 native trees planted
  • Ongoing water and soil monitoring
  • Environmental standards maintained

Element of Byron Project Gallery

Ramada Hotel & Suites

ProjectRamada Hotel & Suites

Situated on the shores of the beautiful Richmond River, with 115 stylishly appointed hotel rooms and suites featuring stunning water and hinterland views, the Ramada Hotel & Suites brings a new level of luxury to Ballina accommodation. The Ramada also offers a choice of dining options and conference facilities.

The Brief:
The client came to us needing Environmental and Maritime Engineering solutions. This involved full site remediation and stabilisation of the river bank adjacent to the site.

Key Challenges:
The key challenges we could see for this project were remediating a site in the middle of town and stabilising the river bank of the Richmond River.

Solutions:
We overcame these challenges by site control of the remediation process and deploying our underwater engineers to work with diving contractors to develop an armoring solution which would reduce the instability of the river bank.

Budget:
The budget for this project was $35m. 

Key Features:

  • 115 hotel rooms, suites &  penthouses
  • Gymnasium & heated swimming pool
  • Art gallery & 3 restaurants
  • Dedicated conference facilities
  • Underground carpark
  • Prime waterfront location

APP’s Role:

Ardill Payne & Partners undertook the Maritime Engineering, Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering for the project.

Timeframe:
The project was completed in 2007.

Ramada Hotel & Suites Project Gallery