Homestead Stadium Redevelopment

“Minimizing Construction Time and Costs”

Can a sports stadium in New Zealand renovate its aging facilities on a very tight budget and timetable?

MWH faced this challenge on the Homestead Stadium project in Invercargill, New Zealand. The design-build project was honored with a merit award from the Association of Consulting Engineers in New Zealand.

Built in 1923 of timber, the Homestead Stadium was in poor condition. It presented a number of fire, health and safety risks. It also didn't comply with modern building code requirements. In 1957, the facility was expanded with a west stand, which included concrete tiered seating and a steel framed roof structure.

Officials had a very ambitious schedule to complete this project. The tight timetable would ensure a pre-booked nationally televised regional rugby competition could be played and revenue generated.

Fast-Track Schedule

MWH played a key role in the conceptual design of the stadium’s redevelopment program, as well as the detailed design and construction of the new multi-level stadium.

The client required the new facility:

• Provided spectators with an exciting experience by bringing them closer to the action
• Created a multi-purpose outdoor stadium, suitable for other sporting events
• Constructed within the allocated budget by ensuring practical design functionality
• Allowed future expansion by adopting modular and repetitive design
• Integrated the existing west stand seamlessly into the overall design
• Created a corporate identity as the home of Rugby Southland

The new stadium featured a 6000-person open terraced concrete structure; a 4310-person covered main stand; 19 corporate boxes; a large members lounge; new office; changing and training facilities; and corporate offices for Rugby Southland.

MWH took a number of steps to minimize construction costs and reduce the timetable.

First, MWH confirmed the existing reinforced concrete structure of the west stand could be seamlessly incorporated into the overall stand development, with remedial work and additional seismic upgrading. By retaining the west stand, the client achieved significant cost savings in materials and construction activity. It also made the project less intrusive to adjacent neighbors.

To place patrons closer to the sports action, a cantilevered first floor was used over tiered seating. This housed the corporate boxes and lounge area.

MWH used pre-cast elements throughout the structure to accelerate the building process and save money. These precast concrete elements were bid before the remaining design and building process to accelerate the schedule. The use of these elements minimized onsite concrete operations that would have been needed during the winter months.

Free unstructured visibility from any level was achieved by using a repetitive structural steel roof system on the same frame lines with a large cantilever roof.

Benefits at Lower Cost

The award-winning complex provides considerably more seating and features than before. Yet, it occupies essentially the same building footprint and overall airspace as the original. As a result, the versatile sports facility achieved minimal visual impact and shading effects on neighboring buildings.

Best of all, the Homestead Stadium enjoys the same features as larger more expensive stadiums at a more affordable cost to the client.