Sport facility consultant says 'tame the architects'

Leading stadia and sports facility consultant Chris Dare has slammed architects for tending to “miss the fact that there are commercial realities” in designing facilities, stating that their “design and form focused” approach needs to be tamed.

In a communication, ‘How to Successfully Build a Sports Facility on a Budget’, issued to industry stakeholders, Dare, the Managing Director of the Waypoint advisory firm explains “the biggest challenge with any sports facility development is meeting all the expectations within the budget.

“It doesn’t matter if the project is big or small, the reality is that there is rarely enough money to satisfy all stakeholder expectations.

“The only way to complete the project within budget and without compromising on key outcomes, is for pragmatic and realistic leadership/project direction.”

“The only way to complete the project within budget and without compromising on key outcomes, is for pragmatic and realistic leadership/project direction.”

Dare’s communication includes four key points:

1.Effective Stakeholder Management - Understand needs versus wants
‘I need a car. But I want a Ferrari’. This is a simple example of the stakeholder management dilemma you will often face throughout the implementation of a project. Project leaders need to be very pro-active in identifying the difference between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ to effectively guide project priorities.

Collaborative consultation and the use of benchmarking to assist with establishing what is ‘typical’ are the keys to success. 

2. We Are One - Driving Outcomes for organisational benefit
Distinguishing the needs of multiple stakeholders from competing areas of the organisation requires strong leadership and vision across the whole project. The reality is that most stakeholders are coming from their own perspective and have their own priorities. For example, the strength and conditioning team want a state of the art recovery centre, while the events and marketing people want the best finishes in the function space because that’s where most of the revenue is generated.

The focus is not whose view is heard the loudest, but rather that the best organisational decision is reached.

It is important for stakeholders to understand what a ‘good decision’ looks like and this requires explanation of the organisation’s objectives and how each department plays its role. It is impossible to please everyone, and it is the responsibility of those leading the project to remain level-headed when discussing priorities. Whilst stakeholders may not always ‘like’ the final decision, it is very important they ‘understand’ it and feel that their input has been considered as part of the decision making process.

3. Tame the Architects - Know when to go for function over form
Architects are design and form focused, which is why we need them, but they can tend miss the fact that there are commercial realities in every project. 

Insisting on premium materials and complicated ‘bespoke’ installations is an easy trap to fall into. 

As project leaders you cannot be seduced by glamour and aesthetics. Sure, things need to uphold quality and performance, but seeking comparable materials and design alternatives is an important part of getting the best outcome and not overcapitalising on things that matter the least.

The key is to have a strong focus on facility functionality, versatility and future proofing, whilst working hard to ensure the aesthetics are maintained.

4. Bring in the Builders Early - Gather the construction smarts and practical ways to save
Talking with builders early in a project’s design life span is a fast-track method to getting a sense of costing and any potential 'build-ability' issues. Why not tap into their ideas on how to save money by making the project simpler to build, or ask for their input on materials that can deliver the same outcome but for a smaller cost. 

Dare concludes “all of the above points are based on lessons we have leant during Waypoint’s project direction roles, which typically involves a great deal of collaboration, leadership, liaising between parties and general consultation across multiple stakeholders.” 

Click here to contact Waypoint via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Images: Chris Dare during a 2015 radio interview (top) and an outline sports facility concept (below).

30th December 2016 - GEELONG LOOKS FORWARD TO MAY RETURN TO SIMONDS STADIUM 

3rd October 2012 - WAYPOINT TO ASSIST CRICKET VICTORIA WITH STATE CRICKET CENTRE DEVELOPMENT

2nd May 2012 - GEELONG COMMENCES STAND DEVELOPMENT AT SIMONDS STADIUM 

8th March 2012 - WAYPOINT TO ASSIST HAWTHORN FC AT WAVERLEY PARK

7th December 2011 - CATS UNVEIL ELITE TRAINING VENUE

8th November 2011 - DARE’S NEW CONSULTANCY LEADS THE WAY