Université Sainte-Anne Track and Field Facility
Location: Université Sainte-Anne, Church Point, NS, Canada
Client: Tate Engineering
Duration: 2021-2022
Key Staff: Todd Menzies, Riley Guest, Dani Stuart
Project Description
Harbourside was retained by Tate Engineering as part of the design of Université Sainte-Anne track and field facility. This was for their client Municipality of the District of Clare. As a major university, and the only francophone university in Nova Scotia, this project represented an important cultural objective.
Harbourside’s Role
Harbourside’s scope of work was multifaceted. It included carrying out a geotechnical test pit investigation, site inspection, and engineering recommendations for soft soil conditions. HGC also conducted volume estimates, testing of granular fills, compaction testing, asphalt field testing, and foundation inspection for light standards.
The track has strict requirements for planarity and surface drainage to achieve compliance with a testing agency and certifier so it would be qualified for use in international events (no deviation >10 mm under a 3.0 m straightedge). Harbourside provided recommendations and construction supervision to limit settlements and meet the strict requirements despite the poor native soil conditions and low-quality fills on the site at the start of the work.
Unique Challenges
As construction of the site was in an area of soft and low-lying ground that had previously been used as a dump site, Harbourside had to carefully delineate the unsuitable materials and ensure they were removed in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Social Impact
Armed with proper knowledge from thorough testing, the construction of the track went without issue. The track and soccer field, now equipped with night-sky friendly lighting, are capable of hosting international competitions worthy of a major university.