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Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre

Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre

Thousands of people were on the edge of their seats, enjoying an incredible cricket showdown. The International Test Match 2019 made history – it was the first of its kind to be held at the brand new Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre.

But as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. A project of this scale required best-in-class networking and wireless solutions. So, when Kane Constructions came to Pathway Communications looking for structured cabling systems, Pathway Communications knew they could count on OSA to deliver on time and on budget.

“OSA is one of our local suppliers. We do a lot of business with them,” says Robert.

“They’ve always organised our networking and communications supplies for us and they look after us really well.”

Proven experts in the field

Proven experts in the field

With almost 20 years of experience under his belt, Project Manager Robert Cameron is no stranger to projects such as the Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre.

After all, he was very familiar with the requirements and specialises in working alongside many suppliers.

It was important that Robert could trust a reliable networking and wireless supplier… someone who is familiar with the ins and outs of communications solutions. A proven expert.

He knew OSA was the perfect candidate for such an important role. He’s worked with Evan, Justyn and Rowan in the OSA ACT team for a large number of projects over the years and counts OSA as one of the best in the business.

“OSA is one of our local suppliers. We do a lot of business with them,” says Robert.

“They’ve always organised our networking and communications supplies for us and they look after us really well.”

Providing fault-free structured cabling systems

Providing fault-free structured cabling systems

The scope of the Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre involved constructing a four-storey building, including bar and kitchen support facilities, indoor corporate seating and function space, as well as covered outdoor seating.

Many aspects of the building were designed with multiple purposes in mind, allowing the building to be modified to suit different events throughout the year. For example, a radio room was also required and needed to be fully functional as corporate boxes that could cater to AFL seasons.

With these requirements in mind, Robert and his team needed to provide data cabling in the commercial buildings. This included cabling for outside broadcast studios for the TV stations.

“We needed to provide cabling of backbone links to the core distribution equipment, connectivity to the MDF, installation of structured cabling systems throughout the new facility, permanent tie lines between the OB (Outside Broadcast) compound and the new facility… It was a lot of work.”

Being a complex communication and broadcast installation, Robert was pleased to know that he could trust and have a reliable relationship with OSA. He knew that all cabling and connections that were delivered were 100% fault-free.

“They’ve supplied all of the copper cabling, underground fibre and all the fibre optic cabling. They’ve always looked after us really well and we enjoy working with them.”

A monumental construction

A monumental construction

Robert and his team received the tender and provided a bill of materials for all the products required. In total, there were over 300,000 materials required – it was a significantly large project!

Once the tender was submitted, Robert had further discussions with the head contractor to discuss how everything in the project was going to be completed. After all, careful planning and efficiency are absolutely necessary to achieve construction and installation of all the products.

“We sorted the cabling from the outside into the new building and into the camera deck, studios, radio rooms and all the internal cabling. Each of the four floors has its own networks, and there were about 15 people working on installing the cables.”

“We were under tight timeframes to deliver the solution to meet the operational needs of the ground. We worked closely with the construction team to make sure we had the right access to everything.

Once we were done, an independent auditor came and made sure everything was running correctly, prior to the first live game.”

High-quality products and applications

High-quality products and applications

Ensuring that each facility had the appropriate cabling and communications required industry-leading brands. OSA knew exactly which solutions would meet the Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre’s needs.

OSA is a provider of Molex Connected Enterprise Solutions (CES). Molex designs and manufactures high-quality products and solutions that enable connected enterprises all around the world.

With a wealth of expertise in providing UTP, FTP and optical fibre products and operating in a number of markets such as data centres, education, healthcare and industrial – OSA delivered reliable end-to-end solutions to connect Manuka Centre to its mission-critical applications.

OSA supplied all of the equipment to Pathway Communications for the Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre, including Cat6 underground cables, internal Cat6A outlets, communication cables, power rails, fibre splicing gear, patch panels, patch leads and more.

Because of OSA’s supply, communications access is available across the entire facility.

Facing challenges with smart solutions

Facing challenges with smart solutions

Of course, projects of this scale are bound to have hiccups. And there were hurdles that Robert and his team needed to jump over and handle efficiently. In particular, the specialist broadcast cables had to be sourced from overseas.

“Getting the cable manufactured and imported into the country in time was a real challenge. Being such long lead items and a special order, these are materials that no one really keeps on their shelves in Australia.

We had to plan when the cables were going to arrive and their order of installation within the program, organise all the terminations and finishing touches and do a lot of testing prior to
everything going live.”

Through careful project planning, Pathway Communications were able to save money by using a combination of air freight and sea freight. Pathway Communications also designed and provided custom enclosures that successfully met their client’s needs.

An award-winning achievement

An award-winning achievement

Pathway Communications won the National Electrical Communications Association (NECA) Excellence Awards 2019 under the Voice/Data Communications & Audio-Visual category for completing the Manuka Centre. Robert was thrilled to be part of an award-winning project.

“It’s the first one we’ve won. We haven’t entered too many jobs over the years, but we thought this one was definitely worth nominating. And it’s a nice feeling to get recognition for such a great project. We had a real team effort on this job and our staff deserve recognition for their dedication to excellence.”

A mark in history

A mark in history

Completing the Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre in time for the International Test Match is nothing short of a thrilling achievement. As Robert and his team completed the project, it was an exciting feeling shared by everyone.

“I think everybody on the project was really happy with the way the job was run, especially since it was a tight timeframe.

It was a roughly 15 million dollar project and all construction was done within about eight to ten months. Everyone on the project was really happy with the facilities, and bringing Manuka to an international level to host cricket games and future events is a wonderful achievement.”

Bringing world-class results

Bringing world-class results

OSA is extremely proud to be involved in such a landmark project for Canberra. We’re thrilled to partner with an award-winning company such as Pathway Communications and we’re excited to see how Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre will open Canberra and international cricket to the world.

Thanks to OSA’s supply of world-class vendors, the project was not only a financial success, but it successfully welcomed thousands of people into its excellent venue and facilities. OSA’s reliable and fault-free delivery of products ensured the project was completed with the highest quality…

Because we’re committed to staying one step ahead of our competition and drive the market in innovation.

Here at OSA, we can help determine exactly what your business networking requirements are, to ensure your network is working at its optimum level, whilst mitigating risk. When you are ready to upgrade your system or simply need some advice, contact us today for a no obligation chat.

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Director, MDE

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Richard Stach

NCIS Project Director – Integration

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