chapter 5 Planning

Importance of Planning It could be said that nothing is more important in the development of a recreation facility than the planning process. This critical stage is where ideas are transformed into details that result in solving problems faced by recreation facility managers. Planning is the foundation for all subsequent steps.

Planning Options There are generally two ways to accomplish the planning of a recreation facility: –Administrative approach –Participatory approach The chosen planning option is usually determined by the nature of the agency, whether it is in the public or private sector, as well as the management philosophy of the agency. The political environment of the agency may influence decisions.

Planning Options – Administrative Approach The administrative approach to planning a recreation facility is used in the private sector or at agencies where little or no tax dollars are supporting the project. In this approach, although there may be a number of people involved in the process, all technical information, responsibility, and priorities are decided by the administration or executive level.

Planning Options – Participatory Approach This process is typically used in public agencies where tax dollars are the primary funding source for facility projects and input from those who pay taxes is encouraged and sometimes required. The participative process involves a variety of people who have an interest in the project. Input is solicited from users, employees, consultants, and other specialists, and their role in bringing about the project is emphasized.

Planning Where the ideas and details get started or take shape for solving problems, concerns and limitations. Is the systematic anticipation through thought and documentation to generally develop a project that will remedy the shortcomings and weaknesses observed and evaluated during the assessment process.

Planning Committee Members Recreation facility projects can incorporate input from several people, especially when the project is being completed by a public recreation agency with a participative approach. Planning committees often consist of user representatives, staff representatives, administrators, consultants, maintenance representatives, and architects.

People Involved –User Representative – participant –Production Representative - Facility Manager –Administrator/ Owner

Master Plans The work of the planning committee is strongly influenced by the master plan of the agency. This document is vital to any agency and is essential in the planning process. The master plan is a formal, comprehensive document that identifies the needs of the facility and prioritizes which construction or renovation will occur.

Master Plan

Planning Considerations No matter what planning option is being applied or the status of the master plan, certain planning considerations must be taken into account. All planning brings together information and ideas that will need to be assembled at a later stage in the design of a facility. (continued)

Planning Considerations (continued) In this stage there are preliminary points of information that need to be realized as part of the planning process, including: –Site analysis –Assessment information –Structure –Cost projections –Area impact

Development Options Various development options must be considered when planning to enhance a facility or correct existing problems. The solution could range from a simple repair to a completely new facility. All options require construction work where specialists or contractors may be necessary to complete the project. Each option has its own application to solving facility limitations.

Development Options - Repair Probably the simplest and most common improvement option is the repair of an existing facility. Repair is desirable when a facility simply wears out from overuse or age and needs to be rebuilt or made to function as it was intended. These are usually minor problems where the goal is to revitalize the area to its intended state.

Development Options - Renovation Renovation requires greater planning and supervision than repair. Renovation is the rehabilitation of an existing facility with steps taken to rearrange the space within an existing structure. This option usually includes changes that create a more efficient operation or a more attractive facility, make the facility safer, or meet legal requirements.

Development Options - Retrofitting The concept of retrofitting involves updating a facility. More specifically, retrofitting is the addition of new technology systems to an existing facility. Retrofitting is used when the space in a facility still has a high degree of functionality but needs to be modernized.

Development Options – New Construction New construction of facilities is the most significant and demanding of the development options. New construction involves planning a facility from the establishment of a need for development through the final stages of moving everything in. An advantage of new construction is that it is an opportunity to develop the ideal facility and still maintain the function of the old facility without losing revenue.

Project Statement Throughout the planning process, it is important to document information and use it in the formal facility design stage. This documentation is called the project statement or program statement and will assist in the architect’s design of the facility. The information comes from the early assessment and planning efforts, and when approved by administrators, it represents the first formal commitment in the planning process. (continued)

Project Statement (continued) The project statement should include the following: –Objective –Basic assumptions –Trends –Comparisons –primary space, auxiliary space, service needs –Space relationships –Environmental impact –Equipment and furniture list

Project Statement – Objective (continued) The objective describes the specific delivery of the product and how the facility will serve its potential users. It should state the ultimate objectives or anticipated outcomes of the facility, including the primary core product delivery areas of the facility.

Project Statement – Basic Assumption (continued) The basic assumption cites how the facility will solve the current problems. This section often identifies current programs and facility offerings. In addition, it identifies desired activities and programs that the agency would like to offer.

Project Statement – Trends (continued) Trends reflect how society is changing and how those changes affect demand for the product. Trends may play a major role in driving the project. They could include technological advancement, legal requirements, population growth in the area, and public interest in the core product.

Project Statement – Comparison (continued) The comparison section compares existing facilities or competition and how they affect the core product and core product extensions of the proposed facility. It also reflects comparisons with recreation facilities in other communities that may be perceived as desirable. This comparison can create political support for a facility. It demonstrates how existence or nonexistence of a potential facility will affect the market in the community and how a new facility might compare with others.

Project Statement – Primary Space (continued) The primary space section describes the spaces needed to provide the core products of a facility. The description should include a list of the spaces that are being planned within the facility, along with the size and function of each area.

Elements of the Project Statement Primary Space – list the names of the various spaces that are being planned, with size of the area and function.

Project Statement – Auxiliary Space (continued) The auxiliary space section lists the name and sizes of the spaces for the core product extension areas. Included in this list should be the requirements of the area and any specialized equipment to be used. This includes food and beverage outlets, equipment rental or checkout space, office space, parking, and reception or lobby areas.

Project Statement – Service Needs (continued) The service needs section describes the maintenance functions that the facility will require. This part of the program statement is often poorly addressed by the planning team and is sometimes even omitted.

Project Statement – Space Relationships (continued) Space relationships describe how all the areas of a facility will relate to one another, including flow of users and employees throughout the facility. This section summarizes the overall operation of the areas, bringing them together effectively and efficiently. It could include diagrams depicting the functional relationships of all production and delivery areas.

Elements of the Project Statement Space Relationships – description of how all the areas of a facility will relate to one another.

Project Statement – Environmental Impact (continued) The environmental impact section provides a detailed description of the surrounding environment and how the facility may affect it. Typical environmental concerns include water runoff, vegetation impact such as tree loss or other loss of natural vegetation, facility appearance, and effects on habitat.

Elements of the Project Statement Environmental Impact – location of the site and how changes will impact the environment. –Vegetation, habitat loss –Water run-off, detention

Project Statement – Equipment and Furniture List (continued) The equipment and furniture list is an extensive identification of all moveable and fixed facility items. It includes all the items, mechanical and otherwise, that will be needed for the production and delivery operations of the core product and core product extensions.

Elements of the Project Statement Equipment and Furniture List – extensive identification of all moveable and fixed items that will be needed for the facility.

Assignment 1. Are there changes necessary to eliminate any problems at the facility  require some type. of facility repair, renovation or construction? 2.Does the facility meet the needs of the participants? If not, what space could be added to meet the desired needs of the participants? 3.Is space being used as intended or do modifications need to be made based on current uses? 4.Describe the people, by categories that were involved in the planning component of the facility? 5.What site issues might have had to be addressed in the construction of the facility? 6.Do the activities associated with the facility have the potential to cause injuries and what types?