About this funding
The Sportsville Feasibility Fund provided $40,000 per year to support feasibility studies for sport facility projects. Through the fund, the Council contributed up to 50% of the costs of planning to determine the feasibility of a project.
The fund supported projects in their developmental phase once a clear need was identified. In some cases, it assisted with more detailed needs assessments if required. The fund acknowledged that projects might require development of business cases, planning (such as constitutions and financial systems), resource consent studies, and other information.
The fund was competitive, with applications assessed on a case-by-case basis.
What was a sportsville?
A Sportsville was a partnership between sports clubs/codes and organisations working strategically with multiple stakeholders to collaboratively develop their clubs and codes.
The concept allowed community and sporting groups to better meet community needs. Sharing facilities—such as changing rooms, fields, administration, social spaces, and meeting rooms—resulted in greater use and improved financial sustainability. This created economies of scale for providing and maintaining facilities.
Needs assessment
The first stage in planning a successful sport and recreation project was identifying community needs. A needs assessment identified any oversupply or lack of existing facilities and services, aiming to justify provision with evidence that separated wants from needs, ideally through an independent review. The assessment provided clear direction about the appropriate scope, scale, components, and timing of the proposed project. Such a concept could then be tested in a feasibility study, the second stage of project planning.
Only after completing the needs assessment could a feasibility study be undertaken to assess the viability of the proposed facility development.
Feasibility study
The first stage developed the facility concept, while the second stage tested its practicality.
A feasibility study examined the viability of a proposal through objective analysis. It provided data and information to support or not support project progression in the most practicable way.
Ideally, these stages were undertaken separately by independent parties to ensure impartial judgement and transparent processes.
Application process and criteria
1. Meet with Council staff
Applicants arranged a meeting with Council Officers to discuss the level of project significance.
2. Draft an initial proposal and present this to Council officers
The proposal included:
- Group details (legal status, history, membership, governance, financial health).
- Identified need (project drivers, gaps in provision, justification).
- Stakeholders and multi-use benefits (collaboration, community reach, impact on other facilities).
- Strategic alignment (with national, regional, and Council strategies and plans).
- Funding plans and risk awareness.
3. Officers assess the proposal
Council officers assessed proposals, provided feedback, and advised if further details were needed or if a recommendation could be made to the Pītau Pūmanawa | Grants Subcommittee for funding.
Essential requirements
Applicants had to be legally constituted not-for-profit groups with sound financial management. Evidence included:
- Legal status (Incorporated Society or Charitable Trust)
- Good financial and organisational practices
- Recent independent quote/estimate for feasibility work
- Letter confirming the applicant could contribute at least 50% of costs
Assessments and decisions
Applications were assessed against the fund criteria. Funding decisions were made by the Pītau Pūmanawa | Grants Subcommittee. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Council and applicant, outlining shared objectives. Conditions such as staged funding release or Council officer involvement in meetings could apply.
The Sportsville Partnership Fund
The Sportsville Partnership Fund, offering $500,000 per year since 2018/19, supported the design and construction stages of projects. Applications were considered only after completion of a feasibility study and/or business case.
Feasibility studies and business cases included all elements specified in the feasibility fund guidelines and could be externally reviewed.