Southland Regional Spaces and Places Strategy

Southland Regional Spaces and Places Strategy

Southland Regional Spaces and Places Strategy

Client

Sport Southland, New Zealand

Project Purpose

  • Deliver a ‘snapshot’ of current provision of indoor and outdoor sport and recreation facilities across the region and provide a clear pathway for future development and future facilities that are fit for purpose, sustainable and meet the needs of those communities that use them.
  • Consider influencing factors, including population and demographic changes, behavioural and future trends, and changes and needs of participants. Demand for sport and recreational facilities will be considered, including the extent to which this demand is being met.
  • The Strategy will provide information and recommendations to inform future Asset Management Plans, Long-Term and Annual Plans for the Councils and Funding Agencies, as to what the priorities are for the region. For example, in order of meeting any shortfall in demand.
  • The Strategy will cover a wide range of assets and will build an overall and inclusive regional-level Strategy. The Strategy will not replace the need for more geographically focused planning or the analysis of individual assets and development plans at other sub-regional or local levels.
Western Bulldogs Football Club Whitten Oval Master Plan

Western Bulldogs Football Club Whitten Oval Master Plan

Western Bulldogs Football Club Whitten Oval Master Plan

Client

Western Bulldogs Football Club (VIC)

Project Purpose

The key aim of this opportunity was to review and develop a master plan to maximise existing facility use as well as developing new facilities to support the Western Bulldogs AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW to make the Whitten Oval Precinct as a major community and event zone for the Western Metropolitan Region and achieve the vision of the Whitten Oval being the premier AFLW match venue.

Otium’s Role

  • Development of facility component schedule.
  • Ongoing design advice.
  • Overview of Facility Management and Operations.
  • Review of Key Tenancies and Usage Agreements.
  • Review of Activity Area Capacities and Usage.
  • Consultation and Engagement Phase.
  • Identification of key issues emerging and development option impacts.

Project Outcomes

Redevelopment of the Whitten Oval Training Facilities (indoor and outdoor) to establish a contemporary elite training and competition facility to support AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW teams (project cost $78 million).

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • The integration between elite and community training facilities.
  • Design needed to be accommodated within the existing facility footprint.
  • Continued operations during the construction process.

Community Benefits

An integrated community, elite training and competition venue.
Western Bulldogs Football Club Womens Hub

Western Bulldogs Football Club Womens Hub

Western Bulldogs Football Club Womens Hub

Client

Duo Projects (VIC)

Project Purpose

To assist with the needs assessment for the Women’s Health and Leadership Centre at Whitten Oval. The Centre will incorporate dedicated meeting rooms and functional spaces to deliver various programs and services promoting girl’s and women’s health and leadership.

Otium’s Role

  • Meeting with key stakeholders to determine the facility’s functional and operational requirements.
  • Providing input into other opportunities for the Centre
    based on industry best practice.
  • Developing a detailed facility component schedule to guide
    the architectural design.
  • Development of a financial, operational model to understand the ongoing cost of the facility.

Project Outcomes

  • As part of the redevelopment of the Western Bulldogs facility, a purpose-built Women’s Health and Leadership Hub has been established.
  • The Centre will provide a range of services and programs that aim to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of women living, working and recreating in the City of Maribyrnong.

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • To define the scope of works to support the objectives of a Women’s Health and Leadership Centre.
  • To integrate the Centre as part of an elite training
    facility.

Community Benefits

The Games venues will provide a lasting legacy to their communities by providing new opportunities for people to participate in sport and be physically healthy and active.
Financial Modelling for WAVES Fitness and Aquatic Centre

Financial Modelling for WAVES Fitness and Aquatic Centre

Financial Modelling for WAVES Fitness and Aquatic Centre

Client

The Hills Shire Council (NSW)

Project Purpose

To review and update Financial Modelling for WAVES Fitness and Aquatic Centre.

Otium’s Role

  • Compare the current financial performance of WAVES to the original financial operating model for WAVES and identify key reasons for any variations.
  • Preparation of a 10-year financial model identifying operating revenue, costs and attendance using:
    • Current actuals from the Centre and forecast trends.
    • Catchment population forecasts.

Project Outcomes

Future projections to assist Council understand strategic need for further facilities and long-term financial planning.

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • Operational decisions that differ from financial model assumptions create variances.
  • Use of existing financial actuals to inform future trends is helpful to revise models post-opening.

Community Benefits

Ongoing health, social and economic benefits from use of WAVES.
Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre Business Case

Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre Business Case

Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre Business Case

Client

Tamworth Regional Council (NSW)

Project Purpose

Otium has worked with Tamworth Regional Council with its planning, design, and funding applications in several projects for the Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre and Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health. The critical pieces of works were developing Business Cases in accordance with NSW Treasury Guidelines.

Otium’s Role

  • Feasibility investigations and stakeholder engagement.
  • Site location assessments.
  • Concept plan development.
  • Preparation of a business case to assist our client with their application for State and Federal funding opportunities.
  • Design specification of the Regional Aquatic Centre, including the schedule of necessary components.

Project Outcomes

  • The Business Case for this Aquatic Centre was successful in earning $15 million through NSW Centre of Excellence Fund and $9 million through the Australian Government Growing Regions Fund.
  • The project will provide regionally significant aquatic, sport, and recreational facilities to the local Tamworth community and the surrounding New England North West region across three development stages.

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • The Council’s existing Aquatic Centres were both aged and facing the end of their serviceable life.
  • Consultation with a range of stakeholders and managing the needs required in the precinct.
  • Testing of design options across various sites.
  • Disruptions to planning and the cost implications of COVID-19.

Community Benefits

  • The Business Case has significantly contributed to funding the $45 million centre.
  • A total of $132,063.560 direct and indirect benefits will be realised over 10 years of the centre’s operation.
  • Increase in regional income through hosting of sporting events and additional employment opportunities.