Ballina Indoor Sports Pre Feasibility Research

Ballina Shire Council

Indoor Sports Complex

Pre Feasibility Research

Final Report Version 2

STRATEGIC LEISURE GROUP Leisure Planning + Management Consultants

February 2008

Ballina Shire Council

Indoor Sports Complex

Pre Feasibility Research

Final Report Version 2 Prepared by: Strategic Leisure Group Leisure Planning and Management Consultants (PO Box 1358) Suite 4, 27 Mt Cotton Road CAPALABA QLD 4157 Ph: (07) 3823 5688 Fax: (07) 3823 5689 E-mail: [email protected] February 2008 © 2008 Strategic Leisure Pty Ltd t/a Strategic Leisure Group. This document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for the commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................................................... 1

2. KEY FINDINGS AND REPORT SUMMARY ......................................................................................... 2

3. RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 5

4. STUDY PURPOSE....................................................................................................................................... 6 4.1. AIM ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 4.2. STUDY ELEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 6 4.3. STUDY APPROACH.................................................................................................................................. 7

5. POTENTIAL SITE SELECTION .............................................................................................................. 8 5.1. SITE NUMBER 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 8 5.2. SITE NUMBER 2 .................................................................................................................................... 10

6. SITE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................................. 11 6.1. SITE 1 – KINGSFORD SMITH DRIVE....................................................................................................... 11 6.2. SITE 2 - GALLANS ROAD ...................................................................................................................... 11 6.3. SITE RECOMMENDATION ...................................................................................................................... 12

7. THE BALLINA COMMUNITY............................................................................................................... 13 7.1. “GALLANS ROAD” CATCHMENT POPULATION..................................................................................... 14

7.1.1. Current Population Statistics...................................................................................................... 14 7.1.2. Future Projections ...................................................................................................................... 15 7.1.3. Age Profile .................................................................................................................................. 15 7.1.4. Implications for Indoor Sports Planning .................................................................................... 16

8. TRENDS IN INDOOR SPORTS PARTICIPATION ............................................................................. 17 8.1.1. Australian Sports Participation .................................................................................................. 17 8.1.2. NSW Indoor Sports Participation Trends ................................................................................... 17

8.2. ORGANISED PARTICIPATION ................................................................................................................. 18 8.2.1. Type of Activity ........................................................................................................................... 18

9. INDOOR SPORT AND RECREATION TRENDS................................................................................. 19 9.1. FACILITY DESIGN TRENDS ................................................................................................................... 19 9.2. EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPORARY INDOOR DEVELOPMENTS ................................................................... 21

10. LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................................................... 22

11. EXISTING INDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES .................................................................................... 23 11.1. ALSTONVILLE LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE........................................................................... 23 11.2. BALLINA INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE....................................................................................................... 24 11.3. SOUTHERN CROSS STATE HIGH SCHOOL ............................................................................................. 25 11.4. BALLINA INDOOR POOL AND GYM ....................................................................................................... 25 11.5. OTHER HEALTH & FITNESS CENTRES................................................................................................... 25

12. SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION .................................................................................................... 26 12.1. SCHOOLS SURVEY ................................................................................................................................ 26 12.2. POTENTIAL USER GROUP WORKSHOP .................................................................................................. 28

12.2.1. Potential Users of Indoor Facilities............................................................................................ 29 12.2.2. Current Indoor Sport Venues Used............................................................................................. 29

12.3. OTHER COMBINED SCHOOLS & POTENTIAL USER GROUP COMMENTS................................................. 30 12.3.1. Overall Need Assessment............................................................................................................ 32 12.3.2. Specific Use and Design Needs................................................................................................... 32

12.4. OTHER CONSULTATION........................................................................................................................ 33 12.4.1. BSC Officers ............................................................................................................................... 33

13. RECOMMENDED FACILITY MIX.................................................................................................. 34 13.1. FORECAST USE OF MULTI PURPOSE INDOOR FACILITY ........................................................................ 34

14. FACILITY MIX TO BE TESTED BY FULL FEASIBILITY .......................................................... 36 14.1.1. Mandatory Indoor Sports Centre Components:.......................................................................... 36 14.1.2. Optional Planning....................................................................................................................... 36

WARRANTIES & DISCLAIMERS.................................................................................................................. 38

Ballina Shire Council: Multi- Purpose Indoor Sports Centre Pre Feasibility Report 1

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Strategic Leisure Group is grateful for the assistance and support of Mr Chris Allison, Ballina Shire Council Project and Contract Co-ordinator; and

• Mr Paul Hickey – Ballina Shire Council General Manager;

• Jillian Pratten – Ballina Shire Council, Manager - Open Space and Reserves;

• David Kitson – Ballina Shire Council, Strategic Planner; and

• Staff of Ballina Shire Council and the members of the Ballina Community who attended the community workshops and completed the sports and recreation surveys.

Their assistance and the valuable contributions to the research and recommendations contained in the ‘Ballina Indoor Sports Centre Pre Feasibility Report’ is gratefully acknowledged.

We also acknowledge the support, intellectual property and photographic materials used in the trends section and several of the photographs used throughout the report which were provided by the architectural firm of Sutors, Prior and Cheney and in particular the cooperation afforded by Mr Stephen Cheney.

Finally we would also like to acknowledge and thank the Centre of Environment and Recreation Management from the University of South Australia for the use of the CERM® PI data from the National Benchmarking Survey for Sports and Leisure Centres 2007.


2. KEY FINDINGS AND REPORT SUMMARY

Ballina Shire Council engaged the Strategic Leisure Group to undertake a preliminary review and feasibility for the need to develop indoor sporting facilities within the Shire.

A ‘pre feasibility’ report provides an overview of the key issues associated with a proposed project and is generally used to determine:

1. if more detailed investigation and analysis is warranted; and 2. the scope and framework for that further research.

NEED FOR INDOOR SPORT AND LEISURE FACILITIES

This report is not intended to provide the required level of detail to support or otherwise determine the need to develop an indoor sports centre in Ballina Shire Council. It does however identify sufficient preliminary evidence to suggest that Ballina is under provided for in terms of community and school access to ‘suitable’ indoor sports courts for the sports of basketball, netball, volleyball, badminton and indoor soccer (Futsal).

The findings also suggest that as the community of Ballina is over represented in all age groups of 50 years and over, that there may be need to plan for the provision of suitable indoor spaces suitable for ‘active recreation’ and meetings other than sporting competition and training needs.

The community research also indicated a level of demand for inclusion of aquatic facilities in any future indoor sports and leisure centre development. While the size and nature of the swimming pool would need to be established, the development of ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ indoor sporting facilities is consistent with contemporary planning for and development of leisure facilities in communities the size of Ballina.

The inclusion of a swimming pool(s) (indoor and/ or outdoor) at any future indoor sports and leisure centre could be consistent with Council’s planning for the future of the existing Ballina swimming pool and water slides currently situated on the river in Kingsford Smith Drive.

DETAILED FACILITY MIX REQUIREMENTS

The most significant component is to determine the actual size and facility mix components of any recommended indoor sports centre.

Sections of the community have nominated the development of four (4) indoor sports courts as the immediate requirement. While the report does not contain their detailed rationale for this many courts, current use and participation in Ballina would be unlikely to support the development of four indoor courts in the first stage of any new facility.


Currently Netball is played outdoors at Kingsford Smith Park and ‘traditionally’ this sport continues to offer outdoor competitions and will only move the more expensive to run indoor competitions for elite and A Grade comps.

Futsal is a sport experiencing large growth and participation figures over recent years and currently this sport is based out of the Alstonville Leisure & Entertainment Centre 5 nights a week. Additional courts could be used but it is not established that this translate into use of 4 courts on multiple nights.

Basketball is played three nights a week at the Southern Cross High School which is a single court stadium. The research supports that the current shared use arrangements cause regular disruption to the association and the arrangements are less than ideal in terms of growing and promoting the sport. However, it is also evidenced by industry data and anecdotal facility reports that basketball as a sport has experienced a down turn in participation levels over the past decade.

The sports of volleyball and badminton are not seen as major drivers for the development of indoor facilities but this is possibly due to lack of current facilities and/ or associated community interest.

Based on the broad consultation and research to date combined with an analysis of the demographic profile of the Shire (see section 7), Stage 1 of any future indoor sport and leisure centre would likely only require the development of two (2) indoor sports courts with provision for other multipurpose recreation spaces.

Other features of a new indoor sports and leisure centre could include the following, but their development has not been proven by preliminary research and is only listed based on the reported success of equivalent facilities and communities elsewhere in Australia.

The following facility components, assuming ‘all other things being equal’ are often capable of generating revenues that will offset some of the costs associated with operating and maintaining a community sports and leisure centre.

Coffee shop and kiosk and retail space; Health and Fitness Centre (500m2 +); Crèche; Meeting rooms and multi-purpose spaces; Sports medicine rooms (leased to local operators); Squash Courts.

Other components of the facility mix that may be appropriate for the Ballina Shire could include;

Performing arts spaces; Youth centre; Offices and administration spaces (venue management and user clubs); Storage spaces; Council ‘Shop Front’ (i.e. delivery of some Council services and receipt of moneys etc.)


PREFERRED LOCATION

Two locations were nominated by Council for investigation as possible sites for any future indoor sports and leisure centre:

1. Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina; and 2. Gallans Road Site (Current land fill site 3 km out of the town centre).

While there are significant arguments for considering both sites, in terms of planning for growth and the potential catchments within a 5 km radius, the Gallans Road site is recommended for further investigation.

In regard to the Gallans Road site, the report identifies:

this site would have an immediate 5km catchment radius of approximately 18,000 persons; as the Shire continues to grow, this site will serve a regional or ‘shire wide’ community of

more than 50,000 persons by 2031. the site is centrally located; the site is well situated on the Pacific Highway supporting regional access; the site is 13Ha (approx) and this could allow for the site to be ‘master planned’ to

accommodate all of Ballina’s future indoor sport and function requirements, provide additional public open space and community sporting fields and potentially include Ballina’s future swimming pool facilities should Council determine to progress this site as a preferred location for future community sport and recreation activities;

Planning for development on this site will need to take into account design and budget constraints generated by potential flooding and ground conditions1.

The report recommends further investigations be undertaken to determine the scope and potential for sport and recreation use and to master plan the land parcel described as “Gallans Road Site” (see section 6) in the report.

1Source: BSC Staff advice.


3. RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations are based on the broad information and ‘focussed’ community research generated by the pre feasibility study. They are intended to guide the next stage of research given a need for additional indoor sports and leisure facilities appears to exist, although the venue size and level of service delivery needs further investigation before committing public monies to such a project.

Council is currently developing other community facilities in the shire (i.e. Lennox Head Community Centre) and there may also be opportunities to generate operating and management synergies between these facilities in the future depending on the findings of any subsequent and more detailed research recommended herein.

1. Council undertake a detailed investigation and feasibility study into the development of a new Ballina Indoor Sports and Leisure Centre.

Any future research should address:

Detailed needs analysis supported by local and state indoor sporting organisations; Number of indoor sports courts required in 2008; Likely number of indoor sports courts required in future years (5,10,15); Other detailed facility mix requirements consistent with Ballina demographic profile; Overall costs and feasibility of Council developing the identified facilities; A detailed business plan for the recommended facilities; Rationale and logic for all recommendations supporting the recommendations Opportunities to establish strategic alliances with Southern Cross University and Leisure

Sport and Tourism.

2. Council investigate the Gallans Road site for development as a Regional Indoor Sports Complex and further; develop a ‘Master Plan’ for the site to also consider opportunities for public open space requirements, sports playing fields and any potential/ need to relocate the existing community swimming pool to this site as part of a ‘Regional Ballina Sports Complex’.

Photo: Noosa Leisure Centre (Qld) 2 Court Indoor Facility built 1993 at a cost of $2.4 million


4. STUDY PURPOSE

The Ballina Shire Council requires the preparation of a pre feasibility report to determine the likely development needs of a new community multipurpose indoor sports centre.

The Council is seeking an independent assessment of the demand and likely viability of developing a multi-purpose indoor sports centre in the Shire.

4.1. AIM

The aim of the project is to:

“Undertake a preliminary feasibility study which identifies the preliminary needs and justifications for future community indoor sport and recreation infrastructure.”

4.2. STUDY ELEMENTS

The study was initiated by the Ballina Shire Council on behalf of the indoor sport organisation and community.

The research required investigation of the following:

1. Investigate the current and future demand for multi purpose indoor sports courts and ancillary facilities by the Ballina community;

2. Based on the demand, comment on the broad design requirements that would logically be associated with such an Indoor Sports Centre in Ballina;

3. Research and comment on the locational requirements of the ‘Ballina Indoor Sports Centre’; in the context of the preliminary findings associated with (1) and (2) above;

4. Provide a succinct overview of the likely opportunities and issues thought to be associated with (1), (2) and (3 ) above;

5. Provide a high level assessment of the likely operating budgets for the ‘Ballina Indoor Sports Centre’; and

6. Prepare a succinct summary of the research’s key findings and recommendations for a way forward including the specific requirements for a full feasibility study should the initial research warrant the need for such a study.


4.3. STUDY APPROACH

The study approach comprised the following:

Inspection of likely site locations for any future community indoor sports facilities Identification of likely programs and activities that could be offered Inspection of previous research Identification of other facilities in catchment area Identification of notional catchment area Examination of population profile and projections within agreed catchment Analysis of Ballina indoor sports trends in participation by survey instrument Meeting with representatives of existing user groups Survey of community organisations to ascertain potential usage Survey of schools regarding existing and potential usage Meetings with Ballina Shire Council officers Analysis of research findings and development of suggested facility mix Preparation of high level indicative financial projections Preparation of concise report


5. POTENTIAL SITE SELECTION

Council has identified two sites that could in the future be developed as an indoor sports complex.

The first is on Kingsford Smith Park close to the main town and the river and the second is north-west of the main town on the Pacific Highway and Gallans Road. Figure 1 below indicates both sites.

Figure 1: Air photo of both potential sites

5.1. SITE NUMBER 1

The first potential site identified by Council is for the facility to be located somewhere on the playing fields situated adjacent to the Ballina Rugby League Club situated on Kingsford Smith Park and bound by Owen Street and Bentinck Street.

The Kingsford Smith Drive site is situated approximately 1.2 km from the Ballina Post Office and is shown in the Aerial Photo on the following page.


Figure 2: Air photo of Site 1

The site is close to the Council’s existing 50 metre outdoor swimming pool situated on the river and also to the town centre.

Current uses include seasonal sports (League and cricket and the Ballina Netball Association (outdoor). Further, approval has been granted for the development of a new artificial hockey field and associated infrastructure on this site2.

2 Source: Ballina Shire Council staff


5.2. SITE NUMBER 2

The second site described as the Gallans Road land and is owned by Council and currently sees part of the land parcel being used as Council’s waste management land fill.

The likely land parcel within the site fronts the Pacific Highway and is approximately 2.8 km from the Ballina Post Office. Figure 2 below shows the proposed area.

Figure 3: Site Number 2 – Gallans Road

Proposed Gallans Road Site


6. SITE ASSESSMENT

6.1. SITE 1 – KINGSFORD SMITH DRIVE

The site is highly visible (situated on Kingsford Smith Drive which is a main thoroughfare to the northern suburbs) and has good potential due to the existing location of several Ballina sporting clubs and organisations already. The Reserve is already a recognised ‘Sport Precinct’.

However the consultation determined that being so close to the river and to the town centre, the site has a reduced ‘catchment population’ within the immediate 5km radius3. Further, having already located the sports of netball and rugby league to this site means that although an indoor sports complex could ‘physically’ be situated at this location in 2008 when population and participation levels grow in the future, the potential for any expansion of all user group facilities at the Kingsford Smith Drive site would be severely limited.

It was also identified during consultation with Council staff that Kingsford Smith Park may have land tenure issues; as planning on Crown Reserve would require Council to investigate the lease or licence requirements and associated issues of an indoor sporting complex being developed on Crown Reserve.

6.2. SITE 2 - GALLANS ROAD

Although further out of town, this site is considered to be central to the major growth areas around the Gallans Road and Southern Cross Drive precincts. The site is a ‘Greenfield’ location of approximately 13 Ha and therefore has significant potential to be master planned as a major regional sports complex (offering both indoor and outdoor sports and potentially aquatic facilities should Council determine to move in this direction in future).

In 2006 the estimated 5km catchment population around this site is circa 18,000 with major growth areas forecast around Cumbalum & Gallans Road. It is anticipated that by 2031 the Shire will have a population in excess of 50,000 persons (refer section 7.1.2 for detail).

In terms of serving as a regional facility the site is situated approximately:

2.75 from the town centre; 3.5 km from the Kingsford Smith Drive site; 7.3 km from Lennox Head; 10.5 km from Alstonville; 18.0 km from Bangalow; 18.5 km from Suffolk Park; and Approx 3km from Cumbalum.

3 An immediate catchment radius of 5km would probably have similar numbers in 2008 but as the Shire continues to grow, it is forecast that the Kingsford Smith site will be at the southern end of the growth corridor with a natural barrier to the southern suburbs being the river crossing requirements.


6.3. SITE RECOMMENDATION

Council agree to further investigate the Gallans Road site for development as a Regional Indoor Sports Complex and further consider developing a ‘Master Plan’ for the site taking into account not only indoor sporting needs but also public open space requirements, sports playing fields and any potential to establish the next community swimming pool at this site as part of a Ballina Sports Complex.


7. THE BALLINA COMMUNITY

The Shire of Ballina is:

a rural coastal community with an area of approximately 480 square kilometres; bordered by the local government areas of Byron to the north, Richmond Valley to the south

and Lismore to the west.

The region is characterised: by having a dispersed settlement pattern of towns, villages and residential hamlets, by being in close proximity to the coast; and by having a mild sub tropical climate 4.

The main communities of interests are:

• Ballina Island • Skennars Head

• East Ballina • Alstonville

• West Ballina • Wollongbar

• North Ballina • Wardell

• Cumbulum Ridge • Other Rural Areas

• Lennox Head

According to the 2001 data supplied by Council in 2001 the population was 37,218 and the Shire grew by 7.3% over the period 1996 to 2001 and a further 3.4% in the five years to 2006 with the 2006 reported population being 38,461 persons5.

Draft population projections released by planning NSW (the NSW Department for Planning) indicates that, assuming sufficient unconstrained land is available and is provided for further residential development, Ballina Shire should continue to grow at an approximate average annual increase of 895 persons per year from 2001 – 2021.

The change in age structure characteristics in Ballina Shire between 1996 and 2001 indicted a trend towards an increasing proportion of elderly persons and a lowering in the proportion of younger persons in Ballina Shire 6.

This has implications for the development of future indoor facilities in terms of the balance between active sports courts and more passive recreation and community activity spaces.

4 Sourced from Ballina Shire Facts and Figures 2003. 5 ABS 2006 Census Data 6 Sourced from Ballina Shire Facts and Figures 2003.


7.1. “GALLANS ROAD” CATCHMENT POPULATION For the purpose of this analysis and referencing to other industry data such as the Centre for Environment and Recreation Management (CERM®), a notional 5km catchment radius was applied to the Gallans Road site, comprising 35 Census Collection Districts located in the surrounding area 7. This section provides a brief “snapshot” of the catchment population relative to Shire and State trends, in order to highlight emerging needs and implications for sports facility planning.

7.1.1. Current Population Statistics

Based on the 2006 ABS Census, the estimated resident population of Ballina Shire was 38,461 persons. For preliminary planning purposes a 5km catchment over the Gallans Road site yields a population of approximately 18,000 persons. This represents 47% of the Shire total. (ABS, 2007)

Figure 4: Current Population of Gallans Road Site 5 km Catchment Population (Source ABS, 2007)

CD CODE 2006 POP'N 1071203 441 1071208 1,032 1071209 682 1071213 778 1071214 297 1071302 708 1071303 271 1071304 516 1071305 459 1071306 706 1071307 633 1071308 478 1071309 416 1071310 325 1071311 508 1071312 474 1071313 405 1071314 437 1071315 455 1071316 642 1071401 1,102 1071402 400 1071403 543 1071404 511 1071405 535 1071406 302 1071407 238 1071408 597 1071409 423 1071410 777 1071411 944 1071412 629 1071413 456 1071414 373 1071415 458

Total Catchment 18,016

7 Anecdotal industry data suggests that 80% of all attendances recorded at indoor sports centres are drawn from within a 5 km radius and the balance (20%) travel from outside the 5 km radius. It is however acknowledged that any Ballina Regional Facility would serve a much larger community than indicated by the notional 5km radius and these would include the communities of East Ballina, Lennox Head, Alstonville etc.


7.1.2. Future Projections

State Government forecasts suggest strong future growth for Ballina Shire, which it can be assumed will generate equally significant new demands for community infrastructure, including indoor sport, recreation and aquatic facilities across the region.

The Shire is estimated to reach a total population of 51,800 by 2026, equating to almost 13,500 additional people over 20 years at an average growth rate of 1.5% p.a. (NSW Dept. of Planning, 2005).

Projections at the local level are not available for the purpose of this study. As such, future population estimates for the Gallans Road catchment area cannot be calculated.

Figure 5: Population Projections for Ballina Shire

PROJECTED POPULATION#LOCALITY CURRENT POP’N 2006* 2011 2016 2021 2026

POP’N CHANGE

(2006-21) Ballina Shire

38,461 43,610 46,420 49,170 51,800 13,339

* Source: ABS, 2006 Census # Source: NSW Dept of Planning, 2005 Release

7.1.3. Age Profile

Based on 2006 ABS data, the median ages for Ballina Shire and the Gallans Road catchment area were 43 and 46 years respectively, compared with 37 for NSW. Again this is significant in terms of the “what will the community need in 10 and 20 years time” planning for future indoor sport and recreation.

Figure 6: Existing Age Structure (Proportion of Total Population %)

AGE GROUP CATCHMENT POP’N

BALLINA SHIRE

NSW

0 - 4 5.0 5.2 6.4 5 – 14 11.3 13.5 13.4 15 - 24 11.1 11.2 13.3 25 - 54 36.1 37.7 42.0 55-64 12.6 12.8 11.0 65 & Over 23.9 19.6 13.8

Median Age (in yrs) 46 43 37

Source: ABS, 2007.

Currently, the Gallans Road catchment area and Ballina Shire have older age profiles when compared to NSW. In particular, there is a large proportion of people aged over 55 – this equates to 36.5% of the catchment population, compared with only 24.8% for NSW.

The representation of infants and school aged children in the catchment area is slightly lower than the NSW average. 16.3% of the catchment population is aged under 15.

The Shire will experience steady population ageing in future, primarily focused on the 65+ age group.


According to State Government projections for Ballina Shire, the proportion of people aged 65+ will increase from 18.9% (in 2001) to 31.9% by 2031, compared with 21.9% for NSW. By 2031, the Shire and State will register median ages of 52 and 42 respectively.

Between 2001 – 2031 the Shire is forecast to see a decrease in the proportion of people under 50.

Projected age data for the Gallans Road catchment area is not available for analysis 8. However, it is likely that ageing trends will generally reflect the Shire’s demographics.

Significant longer term population ageing in the region may generate increased demand for specialised indoor sporting competition. There may also be opportunities to cater for fitness, therapy and accident rehabilitation opportunities, particularly for senior citizens.

Figure 7: Projected Age Structure – Ballina Shire and NSW (Proportion of Total Pop’n %)

AGE GROUP MEDIAN AGE (YRS) BALLINA 0-14 15-29 30-49 50-64 65+ 2001 19.9 16.0 27.5 17.7 18.9 41 2031 13.9 11.9 21.6 20.6 31.9 52 NSW 2001 20.4 20.7 29.7 16.1 13.1 35 2031 16.0 17.2 26.6 18.2 21.9 42

Source: NSW Dept of Planning (2005), NSW Statistical Local Area Population Projections 2001-2031.

7.1.4. Implications for Indoor Sports Planning

The key implications for the planning of any indoor sports facilities in Ballina are: In Ballina children, teenagers and young adults under 29 (key users of indoor facilities) are

significantly lower percentages of the total population than the NSW state averages. This means that while the % may be decreasing, the increased growth in population will probably see the actual ‘raw’ numbers for these age groups remain relatively constant over the next 25 years (i.e. between 13,000 and 14,000)

Persons over 50 represent a significantly higher percentage of the total population compared to the NSW state averages and this will have implications for the planning and operation of any indoor sports centre’s mix of facilities required in Ballina. In real terms this means this age group will nearly double from 14,000 to 27,000+.

Demand for traditional court sports ‘all other things being equal’ will therefore remain constant and demand and provision for spaces to partake in more passive recreational pursuits will need to be planned for.

The balance between sports courts and meeting and recreational spaces will likely be 50:50.

8 Will be a requirement of more detailed feasibility research if required by Council.


8. TRENDS IN INDOOR SPORTS PARTICIPATION

8.1.1. Australian Sports Participation

The ‘Participation in Exercise Recreation and Sport Annual Report’ 9 2006 reports:

In 2006, Australia wide, the organised activity with the highest participation rate (at least once a year) was aerobics/ fitness activities (8.0%) followed by golf (3.8%), netball (3.1%).

In 2006, Australia wide the non-organised activity with the highest participation rate (at least once in the year) was walking (other than bushwalking) (35.6%), followed by aerobics/ fitness activities (12.1%), swimming (12.1%), cycling (9.7%) and running (6.9%).

8.1.2. NSW Indoor Sports Participation Trends

Like the Australia wide result, the organised activity with the highest participation rate in NSW was “Aerobic Fitness”

Other sports are listed below showing the NSW and Australian participation rates’

Figure 8: Participation rate (%) for indoor activities participated in New South Wales and Australia by persons aged 15 years and over (2006)

TOTAL PERSONS TOTAL PERSONS ACTIVITY NSW Participation Rate (%) Aust. Participation Rate (%)

Aerobic Fitness 18.6 19.1 Yoga 2.9 2.9 Weight Training 2.8 3.1 Dancing 2.7 2.4 Basketball 2.5 3.3 Martial Arts 2.2 1.8 Football (indoor) 1.7 1.9 Volleyball 0.8 1.2 Badminton 0.4 0.9 Gymnastics 0.4 0.2 Boxing 0.7 0.7 Hockey (indoor) 0.1 0.2

9 Australian Sports Commission, Department of Communications, Information technology and the Arts


8.2. ORGANISED PARTICIPATION

• During the 12 months prior to interview in 2006, an estimated 4.2 million persons aged 15 years and over participated at least once per week in a physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport that was organised by a club, association, fitness centre or other type of organisation. This represented a participation rate of 25.3%. It also represented 38.3% of the 10.9 million persons who participated at least once per week in a physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport.

• 9.7% participated in organised physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport three times a week or more.

• Overall, males and females were equally likely to participate in organised physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport three times a week or more (9.9% and 9.4% respectively)

• Participation three times a week or more was more common among those aged 15 to 24 years (21.1%).

• Participation in organised sport three times per week or more was higher for males compared with females in the 15 to 34 age groups and higher for females in the 35 to 64 age groups.

• Overall participation in exercise, recreation and sport three times a week or more remained steady at 42.8% compared with 2005 (44.2%), up from 37.2% in 2001

• The physical activities participated in at least once in the previous 12 months for exercise, recreation and sport that comprise the ‘top ten’ activities by number of participants have remained unchanged from 2001 to 2006. Aerobics/fitness has enjoyed the largest increase since 2001 (61.2% increase). Other activities in the ‘top ten’ to experience significant increases since 2001 include walking (37.9% increase), football (outdoor) (26.5% increase), cycling (17.0% increase) and running (12.9% increase).

• Participation in organised sport three or more times per week has decreased compared with 2005 for both men and women (9.9%, from 11.5% and 9.4%, from 11.1% respectively)

8.2.1. Type of Activity

• Organised activity with the highest participation rate was aerobics/fitness activities (8.0%).

• Other sports and physical activities that had high numbers of participants involved in an organised environment were golf (3.8%), netball (3.1%), outdoor football (2.7%), tennis (2.7%), outdoor cricket (2.4%) and basketball (2.3%).


9. INDOOR SPORT AND RECREATION TRENDS

9.1. FACILITY DESIGN TRENDS

Indoor sport and recreation facilities have undergone significant changes over the past twenty-five years.

Originally designed and developed as just a ‘sports hall’ serving the basic ‘fare’ of basketball, netball, volleyball and badminton with a reception counter, drink machine and a cleaners cupboard.

In 2008, gone are the tin sheds and as they are replaced with the development of indoor sport and recreation venues which are ‘destinational’ venues that offer a wide range of quality services, programs and facilities.

Often indoor sports halls are being linked with aquatic venues and meeting spaces to provide a ‘one stop’ service in the area of sport and leisure services.

Libraries, health and fitness centres and linkages to retail precincts (shopping centres) are the norm in todays contemporary planning and design of integrated community facilities.

Facilities are also being planned to meet environmentally sustainable design (ESD) features.

These include

• Improved Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

• Minimise Energy Use & Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Maximise Water Conservation

• Minimise Waste


Modern Indoor Sports Venues are designed to:

• Create a Comfortable Inclusive and Secure Environment

• Create a Design which is Responsive to the usage

• Maximise the opportunities for connection and integration to the wider community unity through integrated site planning and broader linkage activities.

• The design of the building incorporating ESD initiatives

• Logical layout with excellent way finding

• “Shopping Centre” model to ‘cross sell’ activities

• Efficiencies in Management & Control

• Zoning of Operations

• Flexibility for Evolving Uses

• Expansion Capabilities (Master Planning)

• Technology Infrastructure

• Area efficient

They are built on well founded research and planned around detailed research into community need, community capacity to pay (capital and operational) and long term sustainability.

The Vision is often developed using such prompts as:

• Destination

• Community asset

• Stakeholder ownership

• Link to community and precinct

• Social focus, before, during and after

• Competition

• Transparency

• Cross selling

• Street address

• Security

• Zoning of users

• Access for all with ease of ‘way finding’ and circulation

• Flexibility of Expansion

• ESD energy and materials


9.2. EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPORARY INDOOR DEVELOPMENTS

Wyndham City Council (Victoria)

To meet the needs of the growing Wyndham population, Council is proposing to construct a three-court facility to service the growing communities in Wyndham’s north and east, being Tarneit/Truganina and Point Cook.

The new venue will cater for the sports of basketball, netball, volleyball, badminton and indoor soccer. Council is referring $8m to its 2009/2010 budget for the construction of the new centre.

Council’s Recreation Planning Unit recently reviewed its provision ratios for indoor multi-purpose courts and Council has determined a viable ratio as one senior basketball court per 22,000 residents10.

City of Whitehorse (Victoria)

The City of Whitehorse is developing an $8.0 million multipurpose indoor sports facility in Hanover Road, Vermont South. The multipurpose indoor sports facility will accommodate a range of sporting groups including netball, basketball, indoor soccer and volleyball. It will feature four indoor and four outdoor courts, an occasional childcare centre, multipurpose community room and a kiosk with adjoining covered community terrace.

Craigieburn Leisure Centre (Victoria)

Hume City Council has approved the redevelopment of the Craigieburn Leisure Centre, with $3.2 million committed to start building two brand new multi-purpose indoor courts in 2009.

The multi-purpose indoor courts will be the first stage of what is expected to be a major $29 million Craigieburn Leisure Centre redevelopment.

The new courts will be located next to the existing three-court indoor stadium which will be refurbished as part of the multi-million dollar investment into basketball, netball, volleyball and badminton in Craigieburn.

The new courts will also feature a ‘show court’ that will be available for a range of community events with seating for up to 1,500 people.

Council planning to date has highlighted the emerging trends in new indoor sports facilities which see such facilities being central parts of much larger “Community Hubs”.

Hume City Council has identified that future Craigieburn Leisure Centre redevelopments will be completed progressively and go beyond the traditional aquatic, health and fitness style centre to feature a mix of community development, sport and cultural facilities as well as education and social environments 11.

10 Source: http://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/council/media/2006/3452/sports as at March 2008 11 Source: http://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Files/CraigieburnLeisureCentre.pdf as at March 2008


10. LITERATURE REVIEW

In undertaking the Ballina Indoor Sports Pre Feasibility Study we reviewed the following documents and plans provided by Council:

Ballina Shire Council 2007/ 2008 Management Plan

In relation to this study, the document specifically identifies:

1. ... people want to have opportunities to be healthy (page 6) ;

2. ... The open space and reserves function involves working with the shire community to provide a range of services that will sustain and improve the shire’s lifestyle and community land reserves. (page 33)

There is no specific reference to planning or development of indoor sports centre facilities at this time.

People, Place, Prosperity: a framework for a more sustainable Ballina Shire 2025

There was no specific reference to planning or development of indoor sports centre facilities in this document.

Management Plan 2007/08

There was no provision made for the planning or development of indoor sports centre facilities in this document.

Ballina Shire Council Annual Report 2005/06

No reference to Indoor Sports requirements or planning in this document.

Ballina Shire Councils Plans of Management

No reference to Indoor Sports requirements or planning in this document.

Ballina Shire Council Community Directory

Based on this document and Council advice, the indoor sports listed in this document were invited to complete a potential user group survey and to attend a planning workshop.


11. EXISTING INDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES

The pre feasibility research indentified three existing indoor sports centres for active sports (as distinct to other recreation activities that can be programmed from indoor halls and clubs and ten pin bowling and squash etc).

11.1. ALSTONVILLE LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

Owned by the Council, the centre is situated at 42 – 46 Commercial Road, Alstonville and is situated as part of the Showgrounds.

It contains two large halls, the first a sports hall, and the second, a multipurpose hall. There are meeting rooms and the Alstonville Branch Library is also situated at this venue.

The ‘sports hall’ is a single court facility (685m2) with parquetry on concrete flooring and provides for most indoor sports and is currently used predominantly for the sports of Futsal and Netball at evenings and school and community program use during the day. Some sports reportedly won’t use the court due to its concrete floor.

In 2008 summer season, the court is booked 5 nights a week for Futsal competitions and in winter, the court is shared between Futsal and Netball.

The facility is operated as a business under licence from Council and report the venue has an approximate weekly occupancy rate of 80%.

Alstonville Leisure & Entertainment Centre Main Entry

Contact Number: 02 66283533

Alstonville Leisure & Entertainment Centre

Main Sports Hall


11.2. BALLINA INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE

This centre is located in Barlows Road, Ballina and is a commercially operated facility providing for indoor sports which include:

• Soccer

• Cricket

• Netball

• Skating

• Beach Volleyball

• Euro Handball

• Table Tennis

Ballina Indoor Sports Centre Main Entrance

Contact details: (02) 6686 2806

Ballina Indoor Sports Centre

Beach Volleyball Courts


11.3. SOUTHERN CROSS STATE HIGH SCHOOL

This venue is a single court facility and is used by the community at night for sporting competitions.

The Ballina Basketball Association uses the centre three nights a week and reports that they are struggling to develop their senior competitions due to lack of multi court facilities.

Ballina Shire Council contributed financially to the construction of this Centre in exchange for out of hours access for the community.

Ballina State High School

Single court Indoor sports hall

Ballina State High School Indoor Sports Hall

Entrance and mezzanine level above

11.4. BALLINA INDOOR POOL AND GYM

Situated at Ballina Fair Shopping Centre, this venue provides commercial LTS and fitness services but does not provide floor space for indoor ball sports.

11.5. OTHER HEALTH & FITNESS CENTRES

There are other health and fitness centres operating in Ballina but none were identified as providing indoor competition sport courts.

The significance of learn to swim pools and health and fitness centres should be investigated in more detail should a full feasibility be undertaken by Council in the future. This would enable the potential for project partners and potential lessees to be identified at this stage.


12. SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION

This report was commissioned as a ‘pre feasibility’ study only. The report has investigated at a ‘general level’ the apparent need for any further indoor sporting facilities in Ballina Shire; and if a need was identified, broadly what facilities should be investigated further in a more detailed or traditional ‘feasibility study’.

Accordingly, based on the preliminary scope and budget for the pre feasibility, the level of consultation was targeted and included:

Ballina Shire Council internal stakeholder workshop; Schools based survey; Potential user group survey; Schools workshop; and Potential user group workshop

12.1. SCHOOLS SURVEY

All schools in the Ballina Shire were sent a simple survey and replied paid envelope.

The survey questions investigated:

Number of students; Access to existing facilities; and Ideas for any new facility developed in the future.

Photo showing main entry to Southern Cross Indoor sports Centre


Seven schools responded to the survey and they are listed in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Schools and indoor sports venue currently used

SCHOOL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Emanuel Anglican

Holy Family Skennars

Southern Cross school

Alstonville Public school

St Josephs Alstonville

Wardell Public School Nil

Lennox Head Primary Nil

The legend shown at Figure 10 indicates which centres were identified as being used by each school.

Figure 10: Legend for which centre schools currently use

1 Ballina Indoor Sports Centre 9 Lennox Aquatic Centre

2 Indoor Swim & Gym 10 Lake Ainsworth S & R

3 Strike Martial Arts 11 School halls

4 Squash Centre 12 Alstonville Leisure & Entertainment Centre

5 Tenpin Bowling 13 Uniting Church Hall

6 PCYC Gymnastics Centre 14 Alstonville Squash & Gym Fitness Centre

7 Ballina Fitness Centre 15 Alstonville Parish Catholic Hall

8 Ballina RSL Youth Club


Figure 11 below indicates when schools use the Ballina indoor sports facilities throughout the year.

Figure 11: When Indoor Sports Centres are used by Schools Name of Facility J F M A M J J A S O N D

Ballina Indoor Sports Centre

Indoor Swim & Gym

Strike Martial Arts

Squash Centre

Tenpin Bowling

PCYC Gymnastics Centre

Ballina Fitness Centre

Ballina RSL Youth Club

Lennox Aquatic Centre

Lake Ainsworth S & R

School halls

United Church Hall

Alstonville Leisure & Entertainment Centre

Alstonville Squash/ Gym Centre

Alstonville Parish Catholic Hall

12.2. POTENTIAL USER GROUP WORKSHOP

Two workshops with potential users of a new indoor sports complex were conducted on 6th December 2007.

All indoor sports and recreation activities listed in the Ballina Community Directory were sent an invitation to participate.

The first was workshop was attended by three (3) school representatives and the second session was attended by nine (9) persons representing community groups with an interest in indoor sports.


The following schools and community groups were represented at the workshops:

Alstonville Public School St Josephs School Alstonville St Francis Xavier School , Ballina Vikings Futsal Ballina Netball Association NSW Academy of Sport (Netball) Ballina Basketball Association

The main comments and general feedback generated by the two workshops is summarised in the following section.

12.2.1. Potential Users of Indoor Facilities

The following groups and organisations were identified as potential users of a new Ballina indoor sport and recreation facility.

Basketball Netball Futsal Volleyball (is played at the Lennox squash courts) Lifeball Schools throughout region Ballina Shire Council Swimming Martial Arts Boxing Youth Clubs generally Personal trainers Celebratory Event organisers Performing Arts Groups

12.2.2. Current Indoor Sport Venues Used

The current indoor event centres used by the groups represented at the workshop were:

Alstonville Sport and Entertainment Centre Southern Cross High School Ballina Indoor Sports Centre Ballina RSL Lismore Basketball Centre


12.3. OTHER COMBINED SCHOOLS & POTENTIAL USER GROUP COMMENTS

Figure 12 describes the main comments received from the Schools and potential user group surveys

Figure 12: Survey Comments and Feedback on Key Needs

DESCRIBE ESSENTIAL NEW OR UPGRADED INDOOR SPORT FACILITY

REQUIREMENTS

RATIONALE/ EXPLANATION

Multipurpose sports facility (e.g. cricket, netball, badminton, volleyball, soccer)

• Wet weather venue • Training venue • Great for inter-school competitions • Skills clinics

Indoor recreational centre- multipurpose needed in East Ballina

• allow a range of sports to be offered to

students Hall/stage area

• Christmas concerts/school performances

Indoor soccer/basketball etc

• Need a venue to conduct multiple PSSA

sporting events Physical culture/gym

• No current suitable venue limits schools.

There is a need for a venue with 4 basketball courts with netting to be used for tennis, cricket, soccer, netball etc.

• The stadium also needs a stage & seating

to seat up to 1000. • An upgraded version of planned Lennox

Head facility. • Needed 10 years ago, therefore will be

used immediately.

Planning needs to consider travel costs for children who travel to Ballina to attend indoor sporting facilities.

• Cost is a real issue when transporting

children from Alstonville to Ballina to participate in sport.

Olympic Indoor swimming pool required

• Children need to avoid direct sunlight as

much as possible (unable to run a twilight carnival).

Alstonville Squash Centre

• Used a good area for a class to divide into

groups and play mini-basketball, volleyball, squash/racquetball and enjoy the games room.

• This now has become impractical because of the expanded gym since becoming Fitness 4U.


Other general comments received from the surveys are listed below

OTHER COMMENTS

Alternative to Alstonville Entertainment & Leisure Centre.

• Alstonville is too small to accommodate Gala days, more than one basketball game at a time, indoor cricket, a class to play badminton, table tennis or volleyball at any one time.

• During school sport you are unable to focus on one sport and coach that sport successfully as you are moving from one small sport group to another group playing a different sport.

General comment from Wardell Public School

• We believe the Council would be better served to invest in making sport facilities in local towns and villages than in indoor facilities that are extremely expensive to build and maintain & which only a fraction of the shires residents will ever have a chance to access.

• The cost of transporting our students to the facility would be prohibitive.

Large seating area – ceremonies • For community and school use Stage area, performance, dance, drama

• School presently travels to Ballina for a large enough space

Storage facilities • For chairs/tables to clear floor space so other activities can be done.

Area for a variety of indoor sports as this is not available at the school or in the community

• Cost of bus travel greatly limits use by this school.

Indoor Court venues (multiple) • To allow games to be played regardless of weather

Association requirements 4 court stadium ASAP to include: • Canteen • Offices • Toilets/disabled • Media room • Gym • Functions area • Car parking

• Currently playing at 1 court facility at school. Can only use Monday to Wednesday

• Often called off because of last minute functions. Can’t use at certain times due to other bookings.

• To be able to represent tournaments and to attract national level sporting fixtures.

Ballina Basketball Association Key Points:

• No facilities in Ballina for indoor events. • Association has no ‘home’ facility • Use is restricted. • Competition regularly interrupted. • Impossible to hold a professional

competition. • Ballina really needs 4 courts ASAP


12.3.1. Overall Need Assessment

The school and club representatives were asked to describe the broad planning needs for an indoor sports and recreation facility in the region.

Designed to meet the stated needs of the Ballina sports and recreation community Incorporate Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) featured in keeping with Ballina’s

image Needs to be financially viable and this will require a mix of commercial uses and not just

sports competitions Use and access will be dependent on the affordability to participate Needs to ensure equity of access and will need to be managed effectively on behalf of the

entire community Plan and consider all the potentials to stage development for major events in future if funding

isn’t immediately available.

12.3.2. Specific Use and Design Needs

The specific needs of the groups represented were summarised as:

Ensure the design specifications accommodate the highest standards for all sports provided for (i.e. roof heights and ‘run off’ requirements);

Investigate squash courts and indoor hockey as an inclusion in the final facility mix; Consider developing indoor 25 metre swimming pool as part of the overall design and facility

mix to accommodate year round swimming for individuals and clubs; Consider sports medicine offices as a commercial opportunity for the venue; Locate so that access from Byron and Lismore can facilitate a ‘regional approach’. Location needs to be able to accommodate future growth and ‘Master Plan’ footprint if

everything is not developed at once. The Final design and facility mix should consider:

Indoor Pool Hydrotherapy Health & Fitness Facilities Food & Beverage Services Squash Courts Commercial attraction and viability for future lessees Transportation issues (incorporate interchange) Options to link with existing facilities (i.e. RSL and Ballina Recreation and Bowling Club.)

Finally participants stressed that there is an urgent need and should be progressed to make a significant “Community Statement” about the Ballina region and any planning should not be drawn out or generate a long term planning process.

It was however necessary to prepare a master plan so that all the initiatives can be included even if that sees several stages over the next 10 years (future proof the design stage)


12.4. OTHER CONSULTATION

12.4.1. BSC Officers

A preliminary meeting was held with key Council officers to discuss possible planning needs and what could be addressed by Indoor Sports facilities in the future.

Key issues to emerge from these discussions included:

The pre feasibility is to be used to commence the planning process. No commitment to any project has been made by Council to date;

Council and residents want to retain the ‘village atmosphere” of Ballina community; Any facility planning could be a pre cursor to a wider study for a possible ‘Sports Precinct’ and

could involve benchmarking with similar communities and facilities such as Coffs Harbour etc; Current swimming pool situated on the river is 37 years old and will come under increasing

scrutiny as maintenance and repairs impact on budgets – Council may look for options to simple redevelopment;

Possible need for regional planning that could include a 2 court facility with ‘Show Court’; Council recognises the ‘peculiarities’ of the Ballina population compared to State

demographic data (i.e. higher median age and over representation of persons 50 years and older compared to NSW State figures). Study needs to take this into account;

No real potential for joint venture with existing clubs is thought to exist; Regional facility may be appealing in future plans and location to airport could be a

determinant with increased flights being announced; Realistic sites under consideration are (a) the existing caravan park (spare land) and sports

reserve located on Kingsford Smith Drive and (b) the current land adjoining Council’s land fill site at Gallans Road;

Factor in transportation issues and before and after work opportunities – “a lot residents commute to work in Lismore”;

Subject to the report’s findings, the project could become a consideration for ‘Section 94’ funding.


13. RECOMMENDED FACILITY MIX

Using a simple formula, based on the current Ballina population of 38,461 12 and applying the NSW ‘participation rates’ described in Figure 8 this would suggest the number of persons who ‘all other things being constant’ may participate in these activities “if suitable indoor facilities” were provided.

Figure 13: Predictions for Ballina Participation Numbers using NSW Participation Rates (2006)

TOTAL PERSONS BALLINA PARTICIPATION AND ACTIVITY FORECASTS FOR INDOOR SPORTS IN BALLINA 2006 – BASED ON 38,461 PERSONS

NSW Participation Rate (%) Forecast Participation Numbers

Aerobic Fitness 18.6 7154

Yoga 2.9 1115

Weight Training 2.8 1077

Dancing 2.7 1038

Basketball 2.5 962

Martial Arts 2.2 846

Football (indoor) 1.7 654

Volleyball 0.8 308

Badminton 0.4 154

Gymnastics 0.4 154

Boxing 0.7 269

Hockey (indoor) 0.1 38

13.1. FORECAST USE OF MULTI PURPOSE INDOOR FACILITY

Assuming a new venue would be used 5 hours a night for competition (5:30pm – 10:30pm) and 10 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday that would provide for a total of 45 hours per week available for competition hiring. If the above data was to be simply ‘converted’ into teams and hours of competition requirements, it would appear as shown in Figure 14 below:

Figure 14: Forecast Occupancy assuming Ballina Participation Rates follow reported NSW Rates

BALLINA TEAMS ASSUMED COURTS FULL COURTS 2 3 4

ACTIVITY Extrapolated

Participation Numbers

Assumed Games/

week

Centre Hours / week

Centre

Hours / week

Centre Hours / week

Basketball 962 69 29 19 15

Football (indoor) 654 47 20 13 10

Volleyball 308 26 5 4 2

Badminton 154 31 8 5 4

Hockey (indoor) 38 2 1 1 1

Netball (estimate only) N/A 7 3 2 2

Assumed Hours of Competition per Week 66 44 34

12 Source: ABS, 2006 Census


The information on the previous page suggests a three court facility would be fully occupied assuming the assumptions made and the NSW participation data is accurate however it is based on a very simple extrapolation of raw data and should be used with extreme caution as it does not take into account:

Cautionary notes about relative standard error in some sections of the data; Ballina over representation in all age groups over 50 years of age (unlikely participants); Ballina’s under representation in all age groups 29 years and less (traditional indoor sporting

competition participants); Season nature of some indoor sports and the reduction in annual court hire forecast (by up to

50%); The current Ballina resident’s participation at other indoor sports centres in BSC and

surrounding districts.


14. FACILITY MIX TO BE TESTED BY FULL FEASIBILITY

Based on the outcome of the pre feasibility research, Table 1 outlines the main components that should be contained in any future Feasibility Study Brief.

14.1.1. Mandatory Indoor Sports Centre Components: 1. Two Court Indoor Sports Facility with “Show Court” capacity 2. Office/ reception area - 60m2 3. Entry Foyer and circulation spaces - 160m2 4. Air-conditioned area for child care/ multi-use programming/ meetings/ storage

(total approx 350m2) at ground floor level 5. Change Rooms and amenities suitable for regional competitions and “Show Court” events 6. Crèche toilets for occasional child care / after school and vacation care programs 7. Health & Fitness gymnasium space to total of 500m2 8. Car Parking for up to 180 vehicles 9. Storage for tables/ chairs and general equipment 10. Wet/ dry area for arts and crafts 11. Cold room and bar servery area 12. Commercial kitchen 13. Outdoor covered area adjacent to hall (approx large car port size)

14.1.2. Optional Planning

The following should also be fully tested by the Feasibility and reported on as part of the Business Plan Modelling:

14. Third multi-purpose indoor court 15. Fourth multi-purpose indoor court 16. Stand alone 25 metre indoor swimming pool: and / or 17. Relocation of existing Olympic outdoor swimming pool to be jointly developed as part of new

indoor sports complex.


Table 1: Specific Notes

ITEM COMMENT Multi-purpose Indoor Sports Courts

Preliminary data would suggest that a minimum of 2 courts would be used by the main indoor sports and that a 3 court facility would likely be used to 60-80% capacity within the first three years of operation

Provision of Health and Fitness Facilities

Inclusion of a ‘Health & Fitness” gym space would be likely to generate positive revenues, especially if air-conditioned.

Flexible Activity Space The indoor sports hall is the main programmable space for competition and training however provision of other programmable spaces should be made to facilitate exercise classes, martial arts and after school and vacation child care. Other activities such as dance classes, yoga, theatre rehearsals, community meetings, celebratory events and church services need to be developed in a flexible activity space that can regularly enable the introduction of new activities at the centre. Flexible activity space should be co-located with a child care space to maximise day time use.

Main entry, foyer The main entry, foyer, kiosk and office administration will be centrally located and should be able to service the booking, management and food & beverage requirements of the entire precinct when those needs are finally determined. A separate, shaded area for permanent bus parking away from the main entry should be developed to assist school based programs coming to the centre during the day.

Meeting Rooms Although not outlined as a specific element in the brief, some demand for air conditioned meeting rooms for use by community groups will be warranted. Meeting rooms could be incorporated into the flexible activity space by way of operable walls.

Indoor Aquatic Facilities There is potential to investigate the development of an indoor swimming pool as part of any future feasibility into developing a regional sport and leisure centre. The benefits of this consideration are seen to be (a) providing a solution for replacement of the existing Ballina Swimming Pool; (b) offering year round swimming and wider activity base and revenues for any new leisure facility and (c) reduced staffing costs if the wet and dry facilities were collocated (i.e. one manager or lease)


W A R R A N T I E S & D I S C L A I M E R S

Strategic Leisure Pty Ltd (trading as the Strategic Leisure Group) has prepared the Ballina Shire Council Indoor Sports Pre Feasibility Study to assist the Council to better understand the opportunities and issues associated with any future development of indoor sporting facilities in the Shire.

The information contained in this report is provided in good faith. While the Strategic Leisure Group have applied their own experience to the task, we have relied upon information supplied to us by other persons and organisations engaged in the delivery of similar sport and recreation activities.

We have not conducted an audit of the information provided by others but have accepted it in good faith. Some of the information may have been provided ‘commercial in confidence’ and as such, these venues or sources of information are not specifically identified.

Readers should be aware that the preparation of this report has necessitated projections of the future that are inherently uncertain and that our opinion is based on the underlying representations, assumptions and projections detailed in this report.

There will be differences between projected and actual results, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected and those differences may be material.

We do not express an opinion as to whether actual results will approximate projected results, nor can we confirm, underwrite or guarantee the achievability of the projections as it is not possible to substantiate assumptions which are based on future events.

Accordingly, the Strategic Leisure Group, nor any member or employee of Strategic Leisure Group undertakes responsibility arising in any way whatsoever to any persons other than Ballina Shire Council in respect to the preparation of this report, for any errors or omissions herein, arising through negligence or otherwise however caused.

Documents

Ballina Indoor Sports Pre Feasibility Research