City of Kalamunda Changerooms
The City of Kalamunda has set a new benchmark for community sporting infrastructure with the delivery of a modern modular changeroom facility for Forrestfield United Football Club at Hartfield Park. Designed to support the continued growth of women’s football while creating a more inclusive sporting environment, the project is believed to be the first modular sports changeroom facility of its kind delivered in Western Australia.
The project was initiated to address a growing need for dedicated and appropriate facilities for the club’s female players. At the same time, the City sought to encourage broader participation in sport across the community and maximise the value of Hartfield Park as a key recreational asset. The new facility provides dedicated changerooms for both female and male teams, helping create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for players of all ages and abilities.
Ausco partnered with the City of Kalamunda through an alternative tender solution that challenged the original design approach. The architect’s concept had proposed separate changeroom and storage buildings; however, Ausco identified an opportunity to consolidate the requirements into a more efficient modular design. Using its standard sports facility designs as the foundation, Ausco developed an integrated solution that better met the City’s objectives while delivering improved value and cost efficiencies. The revised design included changerooms, storage space and a universal access toilet to support accessibility and inclusion.
As a leader in modular sports infrastructure, Ausco’s approach enabled much of the construction work to be completed off-site. This significantly reduced disruption to the sporting precinct and allowed the football club to continue using the grounds throughout the season. Modular construction also minimised the impact on surrounding playing fields and community users, one of the key benefits of the building methodology.
The installation phase presented several unique challenges. To protect the existing tree canopy and overcome site access constraints, the modules were transported and positioned using a specialised double-crane lift. Ausco’s project team worked closely with transport and installation partners to ensure a seamless delivery, with the five modular units craned into position with minimal environmental impact.
According to David Tims, Business Development Manager for Ausco in Western Australia, the project represents an important milestone for the state’s sporting infrastructure sector.
“The Forrestfield United Football Club project is a significant achievement, not only for Ausco but for community sport in Western Australia. As the first modular sports changeroom facility delivered in WA, it demonstrates how modular construction can provide councils and sporting clubs with a faster, smarter and more cost-effective pathway to high-quality, inclusive facilities without compromising functionality or design.”
The completed facility stands as an example of how innovative thinking, strong collaboration and modular construction can deliver outstanding community outcomes.
Nathan Richie, Director Development, City of Kalamunda, reflected on the partnership and the result:
“Ausco provided a complete end-to-end solution that exceeded our expectations. From design optimisation and project management through to logistics and installation, the team worked collaboratively to deliver a high-quality facility that meets the needs of our growing football community. The finished outcome is functional, inclusive and represents excellent value for our residents and sporting groups.”
The new facility will support future growth in participation, particularly among women and girls, while providing Forrestfield United Football Club with infrastructure that will serve the community for years to come.