Plans to build the new Orange Sports Precinct and Parkland have reached a new milestone with Orange City Council appointing Brewster Hjorth Architects to design the next stages of the project.
Council has awarded the $1.6 million contract to the Sydney-based firm, which will become the Head Design Consultant responsible for the delivery of architectural services as well as the engagement, coordination and management of sub-consultants required to complete the work.
The firm will conduct community consultation with local user groups to design the athletics track and main stadium. The firm would also obtain cost estimates during the design phases.
PRECINCT: Artist’s impression of the proposed sporting precinct
Brewster Hjorth Architects have completed two major projects in Orange including the design of the new Orange Regional Conservatorium and the dentistry building on the Orange campus of Charles Sturt University.
Orange Mayor Jason Hamling has welcomed the latest signs of progress.
“This is going to be a project that will leave its mark for generations of Orange residents and it’s crucial we get the best design that we can. I’m delighted that architects of this standing are involved in the project,” Cr Hamling said. “I’m glad we’re tapping into a firm which has a lot of experience in designing contemporary sports facilities. They’ll be drawing on those insights when it comes to assembling the best ideas for our new stadium and the specialist athletics track.”
“Local residents have noticed the on-site deliveries of pipe, and the start of earthworks late this month will be another sign of progress.”
NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said he was pleased with this advancement and encouraged locals to get involved.
“With an increasing number of people moving to Orange and the surrounds, these investments are crucial to balancing the scales for the region as they ensure that locals have gold-standard sporting facilities that will last for years to come,” Mr Farraway said.
“I am pleased that the project is progressing, and I encourage anyone with feedback, including local Mums and Dads, kids and sporting groups to get involved and provide any helpful advice that will improve the project.”
Orange City Council Sport and Recreation Committee chair Cr Tammy Greenhalgh said the next round of consultation with sporting clubs will be important.
“In recent years we’ve been talking with the local sporting clubs who’ll be using these facilities about what they need. It’s important too that the architects will be giving a priority to talking with the user-groups once again, to see if anything has changed,” Cr Tammy Greenhalgh said.
“We will be exhausting every possible opportunity to ensure we get adequate funding to complete the project to best possible standard we can to provide first class facilities for our region.”
The project is being funded by $25 million, committed by the NSW Government in 2018. Due to expected increasing project costs since then including material and labour, it is estimated the project has increased to $35 million.
The project’s earthworks and drainage construction, worth $8 million, are set to begin later this month. To meet some of the expected cost escalations, To meet some of the expected cost escalations, Orange City Council has applied to the Federal Government for $10 million.
Preliminary cost estimates, based on detailed designs, are expected to be finalised in December 2022 to support any additional applications for funding.
