Shaftesbury Recreation Centre, Ormeau Road, Belfast

Doran Consulting was commissioned to undertake the civil and structural engineering design services for the refurbishment and extension of this existing sports centre. 

The refurbishment works included the provision of a steel framed extension formed from a 2-storey braced steel frame supported on CFA piled foundations to house a fitness suite and changing facilities. The fitness suite area was designed to be ‘column free’ in order to provide an adaptable space. A steel framing wall also provided as support for a curtain walling system.

Structural alterations were also required within the existing sports centre building at interfaces with the new extension. These alterations included the formation of new ‘mini piled’ foundations and the introduction of additional steel beams and columns.

We also provided the civil engineering design and specification required for a new external drainage system and a new 3G synthetic pitch. Due to on-going flooding problems in the area, the level of the pitch was set so as to minimise the possibility of pitch submersion.

Site investigation works carried out at the time exposed localised areas of contamination under the proposed site for the pitch. The contaminant material was removed and disposed of in accordance with NIEA requirements. In addition, lime stabilisation was adopted over the area of the pitch in order to minimise potential settlement and reduce the amount of material requiring off-site disposal.