Beyond the playing field, community sports infrastructure serves as a cornerstone of communal pride, social good and wellbeing. With the estimated annual value of Australian community sport infrastructure at a staggering $16.2 billion, the importance of well-designed, maintained and safe community sports infrastructure cannot be overstated. It’s not just about the game; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging, promoting physical activity, and ensuring the safety of all participants and spectators.
Sports stadiums and community hubs rely on essential barrier systems such as handrails and balustrades to ensure accessibility, compliance to C1-C5 crowd loading standards, mitigate safety risks such as falls from heights, and provide compliant handrails for stairs or disability access ramps.
Moddex is proud to be able to support compliance in community sport infrastructure projects with world-class modular safety barrier and handrail systems, keeping communities safe and active.
Moddex community sports infrastructure project examples
Moddex has a rich history of collaborating with clients to create safe and inclusive environments within the dynamic realm of community and sports infrastructure. Some notable endeavours include:
- Tully Grandstand in Far North Queensland
- Springfield Sporting Centre in Ipswich
- Soccer Pitch at Baxter Park Reserve in Victoria
- Nga Puna Wai Stadium in New Zealand
- Loxton Recreation Centre Upgrade in South Australia
The Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub in Wingram, New Zealand held special significance as it was part of the city’s reconstruction efforts following the devastating Christchurch earthquake, which destroyed crucial infrastructure, including sports facilities.
Collaborating closely with Hawkins Construction, Moddex tackled challenges associated with crowd barrier systems and guardrails on the rugby league field grandstand including overcoming the complexities of C5 crowd loaded balustrading, integrated lighting, wiring and varying ramp angles to deliver modular handrails and balustrades.
A key advantage of Moddex’s modular, galvanised steel, powdercoated rails in this context was their seamless connectivity. Whether dealing with crowd-loaded areas or not, the ability to integrate different systems maintained a consistent aesthetic throughout the stadium while adhering to engineering standards and budget constraints. This adaptability underscored Moddex’s commitment to delivering effective solutions tailored to the unique needs of each project.
Moddex’s Conectabal commercial balustrades for effective crowd loading control
Handrails and balustrades are indispensable components of community and sports infrastructure, particularly in areas prone to high crowd volumes and elevated platforms. Compliance with stringent safety standards, including C1-C5 crowd loading regulations, is imperative to ensure the safety of spectators and participants.
One standout solution is the Conectabal commercial balustrade, designed to address crowd loading concerns effectively. Unlike generic options, these balustrades are pre-engineered for high safety load ratings, ensuring compliance for crowd loading and various other applications.
In venues such as stadiums, clubs, and grandstands, where overcrowding can pose significant safety risks (including the Nga Puna Wai Stadium project), Conectabal commercial balustrades provide a cohesive solution to restrain crowds or people under panic conditions.
With more than nine configurations and mounting options, they offer comprehensive protection against falls from elevated areas. Their balusters, spaced at 100mm intervals, not only meet but exceed standards in Australia and New Zealand, including AS1170.1 classifications such as C5, withstanding crowd loadings of up to 3.0kN/m.
Moreover, Moddex’s Assistrail disability handrails and Bikesafe bikeway barriers further enhance accessibility and safety. These solutions collectively contribute to creating secure environments that prioritise the wellbeing of all individuals.
Image: Nga Puna Wai Stadium in New Zealand
