Sport & Recreation

Sports and recreation plays a vital role in the well-being of individuals, communities and our nation. From grass-roots to elite level, the sector operates in a challenging and ever-changing environment.

Over the years we have helped organisations face their challenges by answering the key questions of viability and optimisation. We don’t just develop strategies: we can actually take ideas and make them happen. And we can provide crucial guidance on funding.

Above all, we pride ourselves on finding solutions that get implemented, which invariably means they have to be holistic and pragmatic.

Our projects include the Papatoetoe Recreation Ground concept development and multi-sport implementation project, the Auckland Regional Paddling Facilities Study, Auckland Cricket Association Relocation Feasibility Study (for the 2011 Rugby World Cup) and National Facility Strategies for Netball and Football.

Case Studies

Western Springs College Indoor Courts Feasibility and Business Case

Sports & Recreation

Western Springs College, known to those who teach and learn there as ‘Springs’, occupies a special place in New Zealand’s educational landscape.

It is the only co-educational, non-uniform, wharekura-equipped secondary school in the country. The first stage of the major rebuild of the school has been completed and stage two is in planning. As part of the planning, Visitor Solutions were engaged to undertake a feasibility study on developing additional indoor courts to meet school and community needs. There was found to be a lack of indoor courts available across Auckland as a whole. The feasibility study showed there was a good partnership opportunity with Auckland Council and provided sufficient evidence for the Council to commit further funding to a detailed investigation on the need for additional indoor courts at the college. Visitor Solutions are currently developing a business case for the additional courts.

Bay of Plenty Spaces and Places Strategy

Sports & Recreation

The Bay of Plenty Spaces and Places Strategy provides a high-level strategic framework for regional sport and recreation spaces and facility planning in the region.

Visitor Solutions was invited to work in collaboration with Sport Bay of Plenty, Sport New Zealand and the Bay of Plenty’s six local authorities to develop this strategy. The strategy identified priority projects for the next ten years along with actions to support implementation. A key component of the strategy was the agreement of rules and guidelines for the provision of spaces and places and the introduction of a clear decision-making process. The process was seen as vital to delivering robust planning and assessment of facility projects in the future and ensuring funding is applied to the most important priorities.

Visitor Solutions has now been commissioned to review and update the strategy.

Great Walk Evaluation and Assessment, Department of Conservation

Sports & Recreation

New Zealand’s Great walks are premier tracks that pass through diverse and spectacular scenery, from rivers and lakes to mountains and deep gorges.

During 2017 and 2018, the Department of Conservation (DOC) invited communities, iwi and members of the public to put forward existing walks which could be enhanced to become part of the Great Walks network. Visitor Solutions, in partnership with Market Economics, were commissioned to undertake economic research on three of the proposed Great Walks. In compiling this research, Visitor Solutions provided expertise on the walking tracks, a market assessment of who would be using the tracks and investigated practical operational aspects of the walks for DOC. The report provided a high-level assessment of the social, economic and financial impacts of each option. The report enabled DOC to make informed decisions on the next steps.

Christchurch School of Gymnastics, Business Case and Needs Analysis

Sports & Recreation

Christchurch School of Gymnastics (CSG) runs gymnastics-based programmes for up to 1,500 members a week at their new purpose-built venue in Christchurch.

Visitor Solutions was commissioned by the Board to conduct a business case and needs analysis for the Club’s new facility on a range of site options, in order to replace the old facility which sustained damage during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

This work was critical to enable the Club’s Board to formalise a plan for rebuilding whilst making informed decisions about the reinstatement of the facility and the site where this would occur. The development was identified as a priority project in the Gymsports National Facility Strategy, also undertaken by Visitor Solutions, as it played a pivotal role in the wider network of gymnastics facilities both regionally and nationally. The new build is now flourishing on the QEII site in Christchurch.

National Facilities Strategy, New Zealand Football

Sports & Recreation

New Zealand Football is the governing body for one of New Zealand’s most loved and participated sports. Visitor Solutions was commissioned to create a strategy to look at their facilities across New Zealand and how they were meeting demand at a local, regional and national level. The project involved a comprehensive assessment of needs, deciding how best to engage with stakeholders and an implementation of significant improvements in the facilities provided. A subsequent review of the strategy and associated outcomes has since been carried out to monitor progress and identify future issues and opportunities facing both New Zealand Football and the seven football federations. This has resulted in one of the key outcomes of establishing a ‘Home of Football’ located at QBE Stadium, Albany, Auckland.

Kolmar Multi-Sport and Community Facility Project Development

Sports & Recreation

Kolmar is New Zealand’s largest, award-winning multi-sport facility.

Based in Papatoetoe in Auckland, the facility includes an indoor sports arena, gymnasium, multi-sport building, hockey turf, tennis courts, and rugby fields. Visitor Solutions have been involved with the centre from its early inception, through consultation, partnership facilitation, master planning, and facility procurement. Our continued involvement is through the Trust’s strategic planning and governance and its delivery of sports and community outcomes. We were also engaged to develop a Strategic Plan and detailed annual business plan for the original Papatoetoe Recreation Centre, prior to the upgrade. The facility now plays home to 3,000-3,500 members annually.

Auckland Regional Indoor Court Facility Plan

Sports & Recreation

Research had shown that there was a significant shortage of indoor courts across the Auckland region.

Visitor Solutions, in partnership with Market Economics, was commissioned by Auckland Council to produce an evidence-based model of where additional indoor courts were needed. The project involved producing broader and more detailed analysis of the regional distribution and demand for indoor courts, whilst also considering appropriate models of provision and identifying the priorities to respond to regional demand. The plan has been signed-off by the regions sporting organisation and is in operation.

COVID-19 Update

Sports and recreation plays a vital role in the well-being of individuals, communities and our nation. From grass-roots to elite level, the sector operates in a challenging and ever-changing environment.

Case Studies

Western Springs College Indoor Courts Feasibility and Business Case

Western Springs College, known to those who teach and learn there as ‘Springs’, occupies a special place in New Zealand’s educational landscape.

Bay of Plenty Spaces and Places Strategy

The Bay of Plenty Spaces and Places Strategy provides a high-level strategic framework for regional sport and recreation spaces and facility planning in the region.

Great Walk Evaluation and Assessment, Department of Conservation

New Zealand’s Great walks are premier tracks that pass through diverse and spectacular scenery, from rivers and lakes to mountains and deep gorges.

Christchurch School of Gymnastics, Business Case and Needs Analysis

Christchurch School of Gymnastics (CSG) runs gymnastics-based programmes for up to 1,500 members a week at their new purpose-built venue in Christchurch.

National Facilities Strategy, New Zealand Football

Kolmar Multi-Sport and Community Facility Project Development

Kolmar is New Zealand’s largest, award-winning multi-sport facility.

Auckland Regional Indoor Court Facility Plan

Research had shown that there was a significant shortage of indoor courts across the Auckland region.

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