Retrofitting Facilities

Facilities that work well can be the heart of their community, offering a raft of opportunities for people to participate in recreational activities and connect in myriad ways. There are many reasons why a facility may no longer be able to adequately provide for its community - these may range from issues that require remediation, such as earthquake strengthening to changing demographics and community needs, or inaccessible sites, to name a few.

Where facilities are already established as a community asset, they can be updated to extend their lives. This may often be in response to a shift from single to multi-use or to create a hub. Retrofitting existing facilities can be cost effective, reduce the impact of waste through demolition, and reduce CO2 emissions by avoiding a new build. Improved building efficiency is another potential benefit.


In this issue of Insights, we review four Facility Case Studies from around New Zealand, each of which showcases a different kind of upgrade in response to the needs of four communities. From a school pool given a new life to a multi-purpose community hub featuring a library, recreation centre, courts and café, these facility developments provide great examples of what can be done.

Read INSIGHTS: Retrofitting Facilities

What's next?

Working with a network of thought leaders in the sector, the Recreation Aotearoa Insights Team have a programme of publications in development.

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