Needs Assessments, Feasibility Reports and Business Cases

Understanding viability is the first step - RSL helps you build your project on solid ground.

We complete assessments on the viability of sporting and other community facilities, no matter what the size. Ranging from aquatic centres to indoor courts, high-performance training centres to community centres and sports clubrooms - we have it covered.

A feasibility study is a vital part of any proposed facility. Our independence allows us to bring together a study that is impartial and is based on years of experience of facility planning and operations. All feasibility studies that we complete meet the content requirements of all major funders.

RSL undertakes Business Cases and is qualified to facilitate the Better Business Case process.

Projects Undertaken By RSL

We’ve partnered with a wide range of organisations to bring their facility, planning, and activation goals to life. To help you explore our experience, we’ve grouped our project summaries by sector—so you can see the kind of work we’ve done with others like you.

    • Whakaraupō Multiuse Hub Feasibility Study – See Project Summary →

    • YMCA Shakespear Feasibility Study (Auckland YMCA)

    • Inner City East “Bumping Space” (Inner City East Revitalisation Group)

    • Sefton Community Hall Feasibility Study (Sefton Public Hall Society Inc.) – See Project Summary →

    • Recreation Centre Upgrade Feasibility Study (YMCA of Invercargill)

    • Combined Community Facility Feasibility Study (Waiau Community)

    • Investigation of Potential New Pool (Edgeware Community)

    • Omihi Hall Rebuild Feasibility Study (Omihi Hall Trust) – Opened 2018 – See Project Summary →

    • Phillipstown Community Hub Feasibility Study (Phillipstown Community Trust)

    • Major Event Feasibility, World Para Champs (Christchurch Inc)

    • Recreation Centre Functional Design Brief (Lincoln University) – Opened June 2021 – See Project Summary →

    • Needs Analysis for the Future of the Recreation Centre (Lincoln University)

    • Whangārei Artificial Turf Feasibility Study (Whangarei District Council)

    • Kāpiti Indoor Courts Business Case (Kāpiti District Council)

    • Palmerston North City Multiuse Indoor and Outdoor Covered Courts Study (Palmerston North City Council) – See Project Summary →

    • Tapawera Community Centre Feasibility (Tasman District Council) – See Project Summary →

    • Manawatū Courts Feasibility (Manawatū District Council)

    • Regional Badminton Facility Feasibility and Business Case (Tauranga District Council)

    • Motueka Pool Feasibility (Tasman District Council)

    • Tūrangi Community Facility Feasibility and Business Case (Taupō District Council)

    • Raetihi Pool Options and Feasibility Study (Ruapehu District Council)

    • Southbrook Sports Facility Feasibility (Waimakariri District Council)

    • Palmerston North Turf Feasibility (Palmerston North City Council)

    • Marlborough Turf Feasibility (Marlborough District Council)

    • A&P Pavilion, Blenheim, Feasibility Study (Marlborough District Council)

    • Multi-use Artificial Turf Development (Nelson City Council)

    • Community Facility Feasibility Study, Pegasus-Ravenswood (Waimakariri District Council)

    • Palmerston North Canoe Polo Needs Assessment (Sport Manawatū) – See Project Summary →

    • Mangawhai Pool Feasibility Study (Sport Northland)

    • Kaipara Pool Feasibility Study (Sport Northland)

    • Tasman Community Facility Feasibility Studies (Sport Tasman) – See Project Summary →

    • Kaikoura Netball Courts Feasibility (Sport Tasman)

    • Netball Facility Business Case (Auckland Netball)

    • Christchurch Velodrome Feasibility Study (Canterbury Track Cycling Inc.)

    • Timaru Velodrome Feasibility (Cycling South Canterbury)

    • Dryland Training Facility Feasibility Study (Snow Sports New Zealand) – See Project Summary →

    • Combined Sports Facility Feasibility Study (B.o.P Badminton Association)

    • Investigation of Future Facility Options for Sports (Sport Canterbury) – See Project Summary →

    • National Hockey Pavilion Feasibility Study (Wellington Regional Hockey Stadium Trust)

    • Turn and Circle Gymnastics Feasibility (Turn and Circle Gymnastics Club) – See Project Summary →

    • Blenheim Gymnastics Feasibility Study (Blenheim Gymnastics Club) – See Project Summary →

    • Tihirau Victory Club Needs and Feasibility Assessment (Tihirau Victory Club) – See Project Summary →

    • Tatua Reserve Sports Hub Business Case (Tatua Badminton) – See Project Summary →

    • Auckland Indoor Rollersports Regional Facility Update Report (Mount Wellington Roller Sports Club)

    • Cricket Clubrooms Feasibility Study (Cheviot Cricket Club) – See Project Summary →

    • Bowls Warkworth Feasibility Study (Warkworth Bowling Club) – See Project Summary →

    • Taupō Squash Facility Feasibility (Taupō Squash Club) – See Project Summary →

    • Netsal Indoor Courts Study (Netsal Ltd)

Project Summaries

Here are a few examples of how we’ve helped organisations understand the feasibility and potential of their facility ideas. Each summary gives a snapshot of the project scope, who we worked with, and the outcomes achieved. From concept testing to full feasibility and business case development, these projects highlight the depth and variety of our work—and how we tailor our approach to each client’s unique needs and context.

What We've Done
Waimea South Community Facilities Feasibility Study
Waimea South Community Facilities Feasibility Study

Tasman District Council had been working with the Waimea South Community Hub Steering Group on a project to develop a multi-purpose community facility that would serve both the Brightwater and Wakefield communities.

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Blenheim Gymnastics Club
Blenheim Gymnastics Club

Blenheim Gymnastics Club is the sole provider of gymsports in the Marlborough region and currently operates from a Marlborough District Council owned facility. The existing building is aging and presents a number of challenges, including its location and suitability for the Club’s needs. In response, the Club Committee has committed to investigating long-term facility options that would provide a permanent, fit-for-purpose home.

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Whakaraupō Multiuse Hub Feasibility Study
Whakaraupō Multiuse Hub Feasibility Study

Christchurch City Council are partnering with Ngāti Wheke in the redevelopment of the 9-hectare Naval Point–Te Nukutai o Tapoa recreation reserve in Lyttelton. This reclaimed coastal area is home to a range of land and water-based sports groups and features the only deep-water boat ramp available to the public in Greater Christchurch.

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UniRec Feasibility Study
UniRec Feasibility Study

The University of Waikato sought to explore potential options for the future of its UniRec facility, driven by multiple key factors and a strong desire for change. To support this initiative, RSL conducted a comprehensive investigation into the desired future state of UniRec, focusing on membership trends, facility usage, and stakeholder needs.

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Turn and Gymnastics Circle Feasibility Study
Turn and Gymnastics Circle Feasibility Study

Following the development of a master plan for the Eastlink Trust, which identified several new sport facility opportunities for the site, including a gymsport facility, Turn and Gymnastics Circle commissioned a detailed feasibility study for a new build gymnastics facility.

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Palmerston North Canoe Polo Needs Assessment
Palmerston North Canoe Polo Needs Assessment

The purpose of the report was to provide an independent Needs Assessment regarding the status and requirements of canoe polo in Papaioea Palmerston North. The report provides key stakeholders with insights into the current and future needs and facility requirements of canoe polo (along with other potential complementary users) in the area.

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Tihirau Victory Sports Club Needs and Feasibility Assessment
Tihirau Victory Sports Club Needs and Feasibility Assessment

The purpose of this report was to provide an independent assessment of the needs and feasibility of developing a new sports field and clubroom/amenity facility for the Tihirau Victory Sports Club (TVC) and the Whangaparāoa community of Te Whānau ā Apanui.

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Snow Sports New Zealand Dryland Training Facility
Snow Sports New Zealand Dryland Training Facility

Snow Sports New Zealand (SSNZ) engaged RSL to undertake a feasibility study to determine the potential for developing a dry slope facility for snow sports athletes.

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Bowls Warkworth Feasibility Study
Bowls Warkworth Feasibility Study

Bowls Warkworth commissioned a feasibility study to determine the need, scope, and financial costs for the development of a new bowls and community facility.

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Taupō Squash Club Feasibility Study
Taupō Squash Club Feasibility Study

Taupō Squash Club (TSC) commissioned Recreation Sport and Leisure Consultancy (RSL) to undertake an independent feasibility study on the development of a new facility In Taupō.  

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Cheviot Cricket Club Pavilion Feasibility Study
Cheviot Cricket Club Pavilion Feasibility Study

The Cheviot Cricket Club is a small amateur cricket club based at the Cheviot Hills Reserve in Cheviot, North Canterbury.

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Tapawera Community Centre Feasibility Study 
Tapawera Community Centre Feasibility Study 

Tasman District Council and Tapawera Connect jointly engaged Recreation Sport and Leisure Consultancy to investigate the feasibility of a new multi-use community centre for Tapawera following a strong level of previous support in the community for a new community facility.  

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Tatua Reserve Sports Hub Business Case 2022
Tatua Reserve Sports Hub Business Case 2022

After completing a needs and feasibility study in 2021, RSL was engaged by the Bay of Plenty Badminton Association (BOPBA) to develop a business case, following Better Business Case (BBC) protocols.  

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Sefton Community Hall
Sefton Community Hall

There has been a Sefton Hall in one form or another on the current site since 1888. The current hall was built in 1961 and had served the Sefton community well for 50 years when it was damaged in the 2010/11 Canterbury Earthquakes.

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Lincoln University – Recreation Centre Upgrade
Lincoln University – Recreation Centre Upgrade

Several years after the Canterbury earthquakes and several reports later, Lincoln University engaged RSL Consultancy to provide recommendations on the future of the Recreation Centre.

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Omihi Hall Re-Build – Feasibility Study, Omihi Hall Trust
Omihi Hall Re-Build – Feasibility Study, Omihi Hall Trust

After the tragic loss of the Omihi Hall in North Canterbury to fire in 2015, we worked with the Omihi Hall Trust Committee (the same set of families who formed the Trust in the 1920’s) to look at what viable solutions were on offer to provide a community hub.

Read More →

Explore Our Other Services

Looking for more ways RSL can support your project? Check out our full range of planning, strategy and activation services.

  • "Richard Lindsay's experience and insight delivers significant value to recreation and sport projects. He can contribute to international sporting facility planning or a local community pool and walkway development. His approach is particularly refreshing and engaging connecting to the range of stakeholders that contribute to this work. Whether your need is a detailed objective report or a philosophical discussion over a cup of tea I fully endorse Richard's capabilities."

    David Bailey – Recreation Services Manager – Christchurch City Council

  • "When it comes to consulting within the sport and recreations sector, it’s hard to go past Richard Lindsay. With over 20 years professional experience working in local and central government, combined with his working knowledge and understanding of both the sport and recreation systems, he’s an asset to any consultancy project. From facility development, to the formulation of strategy, or policy review, he’s done it all. His cost effective and pragmatic approach, combined with a customer focused, relatable manner makes him an asset to our sector."

    Julyan Falloon – Chief Executive, Sport Canterbury

  • "Richard is a passionate, committed, articulate and knowledgeable professional who will add value to any project. I thoroughly enjoy working with him and would not hesitate to work with him again if the opportunity arose."

    Alison Law, Parks And Recreation Manager, Kāpiti Coast District Council

  • “I must say it is a pleasure to work with a consultancy that is knowledgeable and able to deliver appropriate solutions in a timely manner.”

    Bill Steans, Parks and Recreation Manager, Timaru District Council