chapter 5 Planning

Importance of Planning Planning is the foundation for all subsequent steps. 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 Options There are generally two ways to accomplish the planning of a recreation facility: 1. Administrative approach 2. Participative 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. Also, the political environment of the agency may influence decisions.

Planning Options: Administrative Approach The administrative approach to planning is used in the private sector or at agencies where little or no tax money supports the project. Although several people may be involved in the process, all technical information, responsibility, and priorities are decided by the administration or executive level.

Planning Options: Participative Approach The participative approach is typically used in public agencies where tax money is the primary funding source for projects and input from those who pay taxes is encouraged and sometimes required. It 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 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.

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

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 are preliminary points of information that need to be realized as part of the planning process: 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 is the most significant and demanding development option. New construction involves planning a facility from the establishment of a development need through the final stages of moving everything in. An advantage of new construction is that an agency can develop an ideal facility and maintain the old facility’s function without losing revenue. (continued)

Development Options: New Construction (continued)

Project Statement Throughout planning, information should be documented for use in the formal facility design stage and is called the project statement or program statement. It assists the architect in the facility design. The information comes from early assessment and planning efforts, and when approved by administrators, it is the first formal commitment in the planning process.

Elements of a Project Statement Objective Basic assumptions Trends Comparisons Primary space and auxiliary space Space relationships Service needs Environmental impact Equipment and furniture list

Project Statement: Objective The objective of the project statement describes the specific delivery of the product and how the facility will serve its potential users. It should state the anticipated outcomes of the facility, including the primary core product delivery areas of the facility.

Project Statement: Basic Assumption The basic assumption cites how the facility will solve the current problems. This section often identifies current programs and facility offerings. It identifies desired activities and programs that the agency would like to offer.

Project Statement: Trends 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.

Trend: Activity Pools

Project Statement: Comparison 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. (continued)

Project Statement: Comparison (continued) 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 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.

Project Statement: Auxiliary Space 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 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 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 efficiently. It could include diagrams depicting the functional relationships of all production and delivery areas.

Project Statement: Environmental Impact 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.

Project Statement: Equipment and Furniture List 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.