Bunbury's Premier Sports Facility

The Hands Oval redevelopment in Bunbury, Western Australia, has transformed the South West Football League destination in the city. With a focus on sustainability and versatility, the project involved key stakeholders, including the City of Bunbury, urban designers and planners TBB Planning, architects Cameron Chisholm Nicol, builder Perkins Builders, fabricator Metalink, and applicators JP Corrosion and Ferro-Clean.

Improved Facilities

The redevelopment aimed to elevate the facility's status as the premier Australian Football League destination in the region. It featured upgraded male and female player change rooms, improved club facilities, and an enhanced spectator experience. The centrepiece of the project was a new two-storey stadium with a seating capacity of 751. The development also included parking and road upgrades, footpaths, a new entrance, and ticket boxes. The facility now meets AFL 'Category 4' standards while ensuring inclusivity for people of all abilities.

Hands Oval: A Versatile Venue

Officially known as JE Hands Memorial Park, Hands Oval has long been the primary venue for Australian football and cricket in Bunbury. Over the years, it has also hosted soccer and rugby union matches. The South West Football League headquarters call this oval home, with its grand final drawing over 4,000 spectators last month. The redevelopment has transformed the oval into a venue capable of hosting state, national, and international events, fostering increased sporting participation, and serving as a community gathering place.

Trusted Experts at the Helm

Respected architectural firm Cameron Chisholm Nicol collaborated with Perkins Builders, known for their expertise in large-scale projects, securing the construction tender under a Design & Construct proposal to design the new facility and meet City of Bunbury’s requirements. Metalink, a trusted fabricator, successfully contributed 250 tonnes of steel to the project.

High-Quality Coatings for Durability

To withstand Western Australia's challenging climate, the Hands Oval redevelopment employed high-quality coatings specified by Dulux® Protective Coatings. Technical Sales Representatives Kyle Nesbitt and Ingrid Klopper provided solutions that ensured long-lasting protection.

“Ferreko No. 4 is a versatile coating that can be directly applied to properly primed metal surfaces, enabling a quick return to service,” explained Kyle. “Its high concentration of micaceous iron oxide significantly improves barrier protection, prolonging the maintenance cycle and ensuring long-lasting durability.” explains Kyle.

For external exposed mild steel in a Category C3 (medium corrosivity) environment:

• 1st coat: Dulux® Zincanode® 402 @ 75-microns (µm) DFT – an economical zinc-rich epoxy primer offering rapid drying and excellent corrosion protection through cathodic resistance.

• 2nd coat: Dulux® Ferreko® No. 4 @ 200-microns (µm) DFT – a high-build epoxy coating with micaceous iron oxide for superior barrier protection and fast overcoating.

• Topcoat: Dulux® Weathermax® HBR @ 100-microns (µm) DFT – a durable, low-maintenance polyurethane coating developed for brush or roller application.

For external concealed mild steel not requiring a UV-resistant architectural topcoat:

• 1st coat: Dulux® Zincanode® 402 @ 75-microns (µm) DFT

• Topcoat: Dulux® Ferreko® No. 4 @ 200-microns (µm) DFT

“The blasting and painting of structural steel for the Hands Oval project ran smoothly through our Kwinana workshop. Despite rain and cooler temperatures, the coating process stayed on track with no issues. Dulux® Protective Coatings provided reliable, high-quality industrial paints and were easy to work with.”, says Ferro-Clean’s Kwinana Workshop Manager, Kim Wibberley.