Wanangkura Stadium secures Western Australian architecture award

The Town of Port Hedland’s Wanangkura Stadium has secured a Public Architecture award at the 2015 WA Architecture Awards.

Port Hedland Mayor Kelly Howlett was delighted that the town’s landmark building was recognised among a competitive field at the Awards, held earlier this month.

Mayor Howlett stated “what an honour and fitting recognition for our Wanangkura Stadium.

“Wanangkura Stadium is a great example of what can be achieved with strong partnerships and community support.

“Architecturally, the building is like no other in Western Australia. It combines innovative design with modern and functional materials, and has been created with the Pilbara in mind.

“The Stadium is covered in vitreous enamel panels which have been designed to withstand our summer temperatures, as well as the strong winds and rains from tropical cyclones.”

Wanangkura Stadium was completed in 2012 and has since become a vital and well-loved facility for the Port Hedland community offering morning and afternoon fitness classes, mixed sports programs, personal training and a crèche service.

Its blue colour was chosen to contrast against the stark red dust and create the illusion of an ‘oasis’ in town’s main sporting precinct.

Architects ARM were honoured with the award, releasing a statement that read “we designed the Wanangkura façades to be seen from long distances and from the air.

“The building’s appearance changes with the weather and the time of day. Sometimes it blends with the sky; sometimes it stands out against the red desert landscape.

“The entrance looks as if pixels have been punched out of the façade and left scattered on the ground to expose an orange interior of colonnades, entries and gathering spaces. The pixels continue inside but more subtly, in plywood. The roof is a fifth façade to be viewed from the air. It has black and white stripes for the South Hedland Swans football club.”

Wanangkura Stadium conforms to international standards for multiple sports with its main hall able to host basketball, netball, futsal and badminton with retractable seating for 400.

Besides the main hall, Wanangkura has a public gym and fitness rooms, reception and administration areas, child care, and food/beverage facilities while a multi-use function room overlooks both the indoor courts and the adjacent Kevin Scott Oval.

The function room’s expansive viewing windows draw natural light into the internal spaces.

The Wanangkura Stadium project was funded by BHP Billiton Iron Ore and the Town of Port Hedland, backed by the Western Australian Government’s Royalties for Regions Program and supporting partners Auzcorp and ESS Services.

Fortescue Metals Group have joined as an operational partner and are providing funding over a five year period to assist in the gym’s 24/7 operating schedule.

1st May 2015 - PORT HEDLAND’S GRATWICK GYM MOVES TOWARDS 24/7 OPERATIONS

10th April 2013 - NINE NEW PROGRAMS LAUNCHED AT WANANGKURA STADIUM

10th September 2012 - WANANGKURA STADIUM SET TO REOPEN?