Enhance Usability of an outdoor Recreational space – Ensuring Compliance and Accessibility.

Bowling Green Canopy project with Greenline Group

Greenline Group, a leading Australian design and construction firm specialising in tensile membrane structures, was engaged to construct a new canopy over a main bowling green. Their mission: to enhance the usability of outdoor recreational spaces by creating weather-protected environments suitable for year-round use.

In this project, the proposed canopy transformed the bowling green from an open-air facility into a covered space. While this enhanced comfort and usability, it also triggered a regulatory requirement to meet the National Construction Code (NCC), as the area was now considered an inside space. Specifically, the structure needed to comply with access and egress requirements for all users, including people with disability.

The Challenge

The change in classification meant the project had to address several compliance issues under the NCC, including:

• Access and egress for all users, with special attention to disability access.
• Changes in surface levels, where pathways transitioned from surrounding areas to the green.
• Design limitations imposed by bowling regulations, particularly the requirement to maintain clear boundary ditches around the green for the free movement of bowls in line with pennant competition rules.

A key area of non-compliance involved the proposed design of the gutters and steps surrounding the green. The challenge was to incorporate compliant access elements—such as ramps and handrails—without obstructing the ditch or interfering with the function and integrity of the bowling green.

Our Approach

Dohrmann Consulting were engaged as Ergonomics Consultants to develop a Performance Solution aligned with the NCC 2022 Volume 1, including:

• D1P1 – Access for people with disability
• D1P2 – Safe movement to and within a building

Working collaboratively with project stakeholders, we:

• Reviewed the design documentation and identified critical compliance issues.
• Designed a performance-based solution incorporating a dedicated ramp and separate step, both with compliant handrails.
• Specified ramp gradient, handrail dimensions, tactile indicators, and usage/storage considerations.
• Evaluated lighting conditions to ensure the space would remain safe and functional during night-time use.
• Ensured the design solution met both the NCC performance requirements and the functional needs of a competitive bowling facility.

The Outcome

Our ergonomic expertise allowed the project to overcome a significant compliance hurdle without compromising the function or aesthetics of the bowling green. The result is a covered, fully accessible recreational area that meets the NCC’s performance standards, while remaining compliant with sport regulations.

With the recommended design features implemented, we confirmed that the completed structure aligns with the approved performance solution and certified that human movement and DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) access requirements for the covered bowling green were successfully met.

This case study highlights how performance solutions—when guided by specialist ergonomics input—can enable innovative designs to meet both regulatory and practical needs.

As ergonomics consultants, we work across both ends of the spectrum—from proactively advising on design to enhance safety, comfort, and efficiency, to investigating personal injury incidents to determine their causes. In this project, we were pleased to contribute our expertise in safety and accessibility, helping create a public space that not only prevents injuries but also supports inclusive access for all users.

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