People, Programmes and Play

Great facilities only reach their potential when people come through the doors.

We work with groups to develop strategies for play, active recreation and sport, and to bring facilities to life. We offer programme solutions that will ensure facilities thrive.  

We can work alongside your organisation to help develop recreation and sport programmes (and other revenue-generating strategies) that can be easily implemented within your facility. The end goal of this approach is a vibrant, busy facility where people are active and healthy. 

Projects Undertaken By RSL

We’ve partnered with a range of organisations to bring their facility, planning, and activation goals to life. To help you explore our experience, here is a record of projects we have completed, including the name of the client organisation, so you can see the kind of work we’ve done with others like you.

• South Invercargill Access and Affordability Study (Invercargill City Council)

• Play in the City Business Case (Invercargill City Council) - See Project Summary →

• Tauranga Youth Space Feasibility (Tauranga City Council) - See Project Summary →

• Investigation of Student Social Spaces (Lincoln University) - Opened 2020

• Permitted Activities on Reserves Assessment (Tauranga City Council)

• Rotorua Play, Active Recreation and Sport Strategy (Rotorua Lakes District Council)

• Selwyn Play Active Recreation and Sports Strategy (Selwyn District Council)

• Kōkiri ai Te Waka Hourua - Northland Play, Active Recreation & Sport Strategy (Sport Northland) - See Project Summary →

Project Summaries

Here are some of the ways we’ve helped facilities thrive through well-designed programming and activation. 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
Tauranga City Council Youth Space Feasibility Study Project 
Tauranga City Council Youth Space Feasibility Study Project 

RSL was commissioned to undertake a feasibility study to understand the need for a youth centre, or network of centres, as a proactive response to supporting rangatahi across Tauranga City.   

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Invercargill Play in the City Business Case
Invercargill Play in the City Business Case

RSL Consultancy partnered with a design firm to develop a business case which explored the concept of Play in the City and enabled Invercargill City Council (ICC) to consider a range of options for investment in urban play in Invercargill. 

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Kōkiri ai Te Waka Hourua - Northland Play, Active Recreation and Sport Strategy
Kōkiri ai Te Waka Hourua - Northland Play, Active Recreation and Sport Strategy

In the development of this Regional Strategy, an expanded version of a standard strategic planning approach was used. This methodology provided a robust planning approach, in line with industry good practice. It also ensured alignment across the multiple plans being developed. This resulted in reliable, highly usable documents.  

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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