Windy Ridge Master Plan
Set on a beautiful section of coast in Dampier adjacent to the town’s principal boat ramp, Windy Ridge has traditionally been the home of AFL and cricket for the town. Shifting demands and deteriorating facilities spurred the exploration of a new Sport and Recreation Precinct, aiming for linkages to the beach, boat ramp, and town centre.
The master plan proposed for Windy Ridge brings together a number of sports all focused back to a significant clubhouse and amenities building with outstanding views to the sea, the sporting fields, the boat ramp, and the beautiful vistas of the Dampier landscape, the town centre and beyond to the Dampier archipelago. Bringing all the facilities together has also created some wonderful recreational opportunities apart from the sporting functions of the place. Extensive stakeholder engagement was conducted throughout the process.
The master plan brings together numerous sporting codes including AFL, cricket, soccer, tennis, basketball, netball, and squash. The clubhouse features extensive amenities, including change facilities, a first aid room, public toilets, a kiosk, and squash courts on the ground. The primary clubhouse is located on the first floor with a significant function room, kitchen, bar, meeting rooms, toilet, and other facilities and first-floor viewing to the squash courts. An expansive verandah offers panoramic views of the sporting fields and the sea, creating shaded spaces on the ground floor. The kiosk on the ground connects to the boat ramp area via a new bridge. It overlooks a new playground, a sunset deck with BBQs, and a boardwalk ramp to the beach
One of the most significant aspects of the master plan is the careful planning and realignment of a significant swale. The establishment of the new swale along with the careful design of the facilities on site and the staging to maintain oval use throughout has also established the potential of creating active walking pathways with external exercise equipment and nature play areas that surround and complete both the sporting and recreational aspects of this new outstanding precinct.
