State Basketball Centre

State Basketball Centre

State Basketball Centre

Client

Knox City Council (VIC)
Otium’s Role
Stage 1:
  • Feasibility/needs assessment.
  • Site assessment.
  • Development of the funding application.
  • Ongoing business and operational plans.
Stage 2:
  • Development of a business case.
  • Development of a facility component schedule to guide the architectural brief.

    Project Outcomes

    • Identification of the preferred site.
    • Successful development of Stage 1 (6 indoor sports courts) including a 3,000 seat show court.
    • Successful development of Stage 2, which includes 12 new indoor community courts (total 18 courts), comprehensive training facility for high performance basketball, regional gymnastics facility and administration facilities ($132 million development).

    Project Challenges/Key Learnings

    • Providing a balance between community and elite sport facilities.
    • Governance model for the facility.
    • Design issues to ensure functional and operating imperatives addressed.

    Community Benefits

    Development of a state-of-the-art basketball facility that supports the participation pathway from grassroots through to NBL training and competition.
    Richmond Football Club Punt Road Redevelopment

    Richmond Football Club Punt Road Redevelopment

    Richmond Football Club Punt Road Redevelopment

    Client

    Richmond Football Club (VIC)

    Project Purpose

    Otium Planning Group has been involved in all three stages of the redevelopment and expansion of the Punt Road Oval facilities. The overall purpose of the project was to create a world-class high-performance training, education, community programs and events facility for the Richmond Football Club.

    Otium’s Role

    • Development of a master plan to guide the redevelopment and expansion of facilities, including the identification of the three stages of the project.
    • Preparation of funding strategy and funding applications to government.
    • Stakeholder engagement.

    Project Outcomes

    Completion of Stages 1 and 2, with Stage 3 approved
    and due for completion mid-2027.

    Project Challenges/Key Learnings

    • 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.

    Pimpana Sports Hub and Aquatic Centre

    Pimpana Sports Hub and Aquatic Centre

    Pimpana Sports Hub and Aquatic Centre

    Client

    City of Gold Coast (QLD)

    Project Purpose

    Otium Planning Group was engaged, together with Liquid Blu Architects, by the City of Gold Coast Council to prepare a business case, in order to “establish an integrated aquatic, sporting and community precinct; provide social, community and event infrastructure in the Northern Gold Coast; and create a true, ‘contemporary’ destination for the local community and visitors.”

    Heritage Park, located at 139 Rifle Range Road, Pimpama, was identified as the site for the delivery of the Precinct and was to incorporate the following elements:

    • Aquatic and leisure centre
    • Tennis centre
    • Community centre
    • Netball facility
    • Recreation parks and other community spaces.

    Otium’s Role

    • Construction Staging Advice.
    • Development of Business Case Assumptions, including:
      • Operational hours
      • Generic, then agreed, management model
      • Potential staffing structure
      • Usage by activity type by activity area
      • Operational expenditure by activity area
        Global impacts (i.e. CPI, pricing, demand growth etc.)
      • Asset management costs and other relevant information.
    • Preparation of Base Case 10-year Electronic Financial Modelling.
    • Staging Advice.
    • Grant Application Support.
    • Return on Investment Analysis.

    Project Outcomes

    • The co-location of multiple facilities, programs and services optimised management synergies, and capital delivery and operational costs.
    • The Sports Hub is close to capacity with Council planning now investigated a potential second site in the Northern corridor.

    Project Challenges/Key Learnings

    • As a greenfield site, identifying the appropriate facility elements and their scale was critical to its sustainability.
    • Ensuring the Hub retained the intent of the original city-wide aquatic strategy became more difficult as new disciplines were introduced.

    Community Benefits

    • There is a diversity of sport, recreation, event and social gathering opportunities for all members of the community regardless of their background.
    • The Hub is an integral destination for a significantly growing and new community to be physically active, engage and be healthy.

    Port Macquarie Coastal Recreation Needs Study

    Port Macquarie Coastal Recreation Needs Study

    Port Macquarie Coastal Recreation Needs Study

    Client

    Port Macquarie Hastings Council (NSW)

    Project Purpose

    Otium was appointed by Port Macquarie Hastings Council to undertake the Coastal Recreational User Needs Analysis to identify key recreational activities undertaken in the coastal zone, patterns in usage and the suitability of existing infrastructure to support current and future recreation needs.

    Otium’s Role

    • Analysis of recreational user groups and activities undertaken in the coastal zone.
    • Map, identify and review the assets that support both foreshore-based and water-based recreational activities.
    • Identify, assess and engage with key stakeholders responsible for the provision of recreational infrastructure and land/water in the Coastal zone.
    • Identify, prioritise, assess and map potential recreational opportunities within the coastal zone that may address emerging and future recreational usage pressure.

    Project Outcomes

    The recommendations of the Coastal Recreational Needs Study informed the future management actions and will be incorporated into the Port Macquarie Hastings Coastal Management Plan.

    Project Challenges/Key Learnings

    • Continuing growth in urban population and tourism contributes to additional demand on coastal zones creating challenges for balancing coastal ecosystems.
    • Environmental concerns such as increased frequency of flooding, coastal erosion and shoreline recession require strategic and collaborative approach.

    Community Benefits

    • Enhanced Access and Inclusion with universal accessibility at the core, and development of shared pathways and cycleways to connect coastal areas with town centres and open spaces.
    • Strengthened collaboration between government agencies and local groups for shared management and funding.
    • Future-proofing infrastructure by strategic planning for population growth and evolving recreation trends.

    Penrith Indoor Multi-Sport Complex Business Case

    Penrith Indoor Multi-Sport Complex Business Case

    Penrith Indoor Multi-Sport Complex Business Case

    Client

    Penrith City Council (NSW)

    Project Purpose

    Preparation of a business case to provide the rationale of need for the development of a new indoor sports complex in Western Sydney. The business case developed by Otium was utilised to secure investment funding.

    Otium’s Role

    • Demand analysis for indoor sports.
    • Concept plan development.
    • Financial, operational and visitation modelling.
    • Stakeholder engagement.
    • Engaging economists to undertake cost benefit analysis.

    Project Outcomes

    Successfully secured $106 Million to deliver:

    • Ten multi-use sports courts, including a show court for various sports.
    • Squash courts with moveable walls for enhanced adaptability.
    • Flexible program rooms suitable for yoga, Pilates, dance, martial arts, and special events.
    • Covered outdoor skate rink.
    • Associated facilities like administration areas, foyer, kiosk, lounge, amenities, and storage spaces.
    • Outdoor recreation infrastructure and shared pathway connections along South Creek.

    Project Challenges/Key Learnings

    Working with site constraints including areas subject to flooding, existing easements and access considerations.

    Community Benefits

    • Modelling indicates that the centre will service up to 391,000 visitations in its first year of operation across a range of sports and activities.
    • Visitations will enhance liveability benefits through sustained opportunities for physical activity that can continue year-round, regardless of external climatic conditions.

    For further information: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/building-development/revitalise-penrith/indoor-multi-sports-arena