Bundha Sports Centre

Bundha Sports Centre

Bundha Sports Centre

Client

Sport and Recreation Victoria

Project Capital Cost

$54.5 million

Project Purpose

Bundha Sports Centre, constructed on the Fitzroy Gasworks site, is Australia’s first multi-level community indoor court facility. The centre comprises four courts for competition-level basketball, netball, and volleyball; a multi-purpose court for futsal; a gymnasium; a program/meeting room; a café and lounge area; community facilities; all gender change rooms; a foyer and reception area.

Otium was appointed by Sport and Recreation Victoria to undertake numerous stages of the project.

Otium’s Role

  • Preparation of the Feasibility Study.
  • Preparation of the Business Case.
  • Preparation of the Facility Operating Model including detailed financial modelling.
  • Review of the Management options.
  • Completed market sounding with external management companies.
  • Development of the operating agreement and tender documentation for the external lease arrangement.
  • Coordination of the development of a 20-year Capital Replacement and Maintenance Plan.
  • Assistance with the Tender Evaluation Process.

 

Project Outcomes

Successful appointment of a long-term venue manager, Clublinks.

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • Funded via Development Victoria, but local authority declined the option to manage the facility.
  • First sport facility contract arrangement for Victorian State Government. Other state facilities managed under State Sports Trust (separate statutory body).
  • Development of an integrated school (Education Department) and community sports facility (Sport and Recreation Victoria).
  • Development of a multi-use facility on small footprint.

Community Benefits

  • The first publicly accessible vertical sports centre in Australia.
  • The venue will support local sports clubs and encourage more of the community to get active.
Bland Shire Sport and Recreation Plan

Bland Shire Sport and Recreation Plan

Bland Shire Sport and Recreation Plan

Client

Bland Shire Council (NSW)

Project Purpose

Bland Shire Council engaged Otium to complete its Sport and Recreation Plan. The Plan identified and responded to the community’s current and future needs for sporting and recreational facilities.

Otium’s Role

  • Research and analysis, including regional trends in sport and recreation delivery.
  • On-site engagement, including three community drop-in sessions, attending the Shire’s show, and a community survey.
  • Distribution and catchment analysis of the sport and recreation network.
  • Thorough site analysis and utilisation review.
  • Strategy and Action Plan development.

 

Project Outcomes

  • Developing strategic directions in the future planning of Bland Shire’s sport and recreation facilities.
  • Classification of the network into five key facility types.
  • Development of the facility classification/hierarchy framework to guide future purpose, catchment, embellishment, management and maintenance of the Shire’s sport and active recreation facilities network.
  • Development of an Action Plan with short-term, medium-term and long-term priorities with indicative costs for implementation per site.
University of Canterbury Recreation Centre Operational and Management Review

University of Canterbury Recreation Centre Operational and Management Review

University of Canterbury Recreation Centre Operational and Management Review

Client

University of Canterbury (UC), New Zealand

Project Purpose

To position the UC Rec Centre as a leader in inclusive, student-focused recreation and wellbeing. This review sought actionable insights and recommendations to optimise current operations and ensure the Rec Centre is future-ready, particularly in the context of UC’s new sport and recreation facility (Takurua) due to open in 2027. The review covered governance, strategic alignment, operational efficiency and service delivery quality, with a strong focus on culturally responsive and accessible services.

Otium’s Role

Conduct a thorough operational and management review of the UC Rec Centre, including:

  • Operational review including financials, fees and charges, programming, marketing, customer services, systems, risk and compliance and asset maintenance.
  • Benchmarking against comparable facilities.
  • Analysing governance and management structures.
  • Stakeholder engagement.

 

Project Outcomes

A concise, evidence-based report that enabled informed and strategic decisions to be made. Outcomes included:

  • Improved programme and service delivery recommendations.
  • Recommendations for an improved governance and management model.
  • A future‑ready service and operational model for Takurua.
  • A strengthened risk, compliance and safety framework.

The findings will ensure the Rec Centre is inclusive, effective and prepared to meet the evolving needs of its community, supporting a smooth transition to the Takurua facility.

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • Balancing current operational realities with future‑ready expectations.
  • A future‑focused Rec Centre must integrate people, systems and spaces.
  • Cultural responsiveness must be embedded in all aspects.

Community Benefits

  • The Rec Centre will deliver inclusive, accessible and culturally responsive recreation and wellbeing services that directly support student health, engagement and success.
  • The Rec Centre will be an active connector on campus and within the broader community.
Review Of Supply and Demand for Sports Facilities in the NSROC Region

Review Of Supply and Demand for Sports Facilities in the NSROC Region

Review Of Supply and Demand for Sports Facilities in the NSROC Region

Client

Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) (NSW)

Project Purpose

Provide a strong evidence base to assist NSROC and its Member Councils to advocate for greater strategic direction, secure grant funding, respond to pressure from stakeholders and coordinate a regional approach to supply and demand issues.

Otium’s Role

  • Catchment analysis.
  • Development of detailed inventory and mapping.
  • Trends analysis.
  • Demand modelling.
  • Assessment of supply and demand.
  • Future opportunities identification.

Project Outcomes

  • Adopted and currently being implemented.
  • Generated strong national and state media interest.
  • Winner of Parks & Leisure Australia (NSW) Strategic Planning Award (2024).
  • Commendation Parks & Leisure Australia Award (2024).

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • Coordinating data from eight Member Councils.
  • Facilitating an agreed approach to future opportunities.
  • Regular engagement with all key stakeholders is critical to ensuring collective agreement.

Community Benefits

  • Increased awareness of supply and demand gap challenges by all stakeholders.
  • Clear pathway to optimising current assets and planning for new assets via innovative strategies.