Spaces and Places Planning and Master Plans

From local fields to national networks, we help you see the big picture.

We complete a range of Local, Regional or National Facility Plans to understand the current state and future needs of communities for play, active recreation and sport. 

Historically, facility development has often occurred in isolation. A facilities plan takes a broader approach and looks at how each facility operates within a networked approach.  

We also complete Master Plans to understand future requirements for community, sport and recreation spaces. 

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.

• Selwyn Target Sports Facility Network Plan (Selwyn District Council)

• Whanganui Aquatics Facility Network Plan (Whanganui District Council) - See Project Summary →

• Chatham Islands Spaces and Places Plan (Sport Canterbury) - See Project Summary →

• Queenstown Lakes Sports Field Strategy (Queenstown Lakes District Council) - See Project Summary →

• Taranaki Aquatic Facility Network Plan (Sport Taranaki) - See Project Summary →

• Ōpōtiki Spaces and Places Strategy (Ōpōtiki District Council)

• Waikanae Park Master Plan (Kāpiti District Council)

• Bay of Plenty Spaces and Places Plan (Sport Bay of Plenty) - See Project Summary →

• National Hockey Facilities Strategy (Hockey New Zealand) - See Project Summary →

• Hastings Sport and Recreation Facilities Plan (Hastings District Council)

• Eastlink Hub Master Plan (Eastlink Trust )

• Community Facility Network Plan (Waimakariri District Council) - See Project Summary →

• Northland Aquatic Facilities Plan (Sport Northland) - See Project Summary →

• Hawke’s Bay Sports Field Review (Sport Hawke’s Bay) - See Project Summary →

• He rā ki tua, Horizons Region Spaces and Places Plan for Sport and Recreation (Sport Manawatū) - See Project Summary →

• Palmerston North Aquatics Strategy (Palmerston North City Council)

• Coastal Otago Sub-regional Spaces and Places Plan (Sport Otago)

• Kāpiti Sports Field Demand Analysis (Kāpiti Coast District Council)

• Henderson-Massey Local Board Regional Sport Facilities Plan (Auckland Council)

• Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Regional Sports Facilities Plan (Auckland Council) - See Project Summary →

• Hamilton City Aquatics and Indoor Court Review (Sport Waikato)

• Southland Spaces and Places Strategy (Active Southland) - See Project Summary →

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

• Hokitika Sport and Recreation Facilities Plan (Westland District Council)

• Rotorua Golf Facilities Strategy (Sport Bay of Plenty) - See Project Summary →

• Blake Park Master Plan (Tauranga City Council)

• Southland Sports Fields Strategy (Active Southland)

• Rotorua Outdoor Spaces Network Plan (Rotorua Lakes Council)

• Play, Active Recreation and Sports Spaces and Places Plan (Selwyn District Council)

• Whangārei Indoor and Outdoor Courts Plan (Whangārei District Council) - See Project Summary →

• Palmerston North Sports Facility Plan Review (Palmerston North City Council)

• Aorangi Golf Facilities Plan (Timaru District Council)

• Auckland Diamond Sports Plan (Aktive)

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

• FC Twenty11 Facility Plan (FCTwenty11)

• Lancaster Park Re-development - Spatial Plan (Christchurch City Council) - Construction Underway - See Project Summary →

• Aquatic Facilities Strategy (Nelson City Council) - See Project Summary →

• West Coast Spaces and Places Plan (Sport Canterbury / Sport Tasman) - See Project Summary →

• Canterbury Spaces and Places Plan (Sport Canterbury) - See Project summary →

• Regional Facilities Plan (Mainland Football) - See Project Summary →

• Regional Facilities Plan (Canterbury Cricket)

• Community Facilities Strategy (Kapiti District Council) - See Project Summary →

• Regional Facilities Plan - (Canterbury Rugby)

• Aquatic Facilities Strategy - (Waimakariri District Council)

• Regional Sporting Park Master Plan - (Timaru District Council)

• Sports Facilities Plan - (Waimakariri District Council)

• Sports Facilities Plan (Marlborough District Council)

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

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

Project Summaries

Check out some of our planning work across different scales and settings. 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.

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