Commercial and Business Strategy

a. Size and Scope

The centre needs to be big enough and of sufficient quality to attract the necessary footfall.

b. Multiple User Capability

Various detailed P&Ls and Cash Flows were prepared which indicated that the centre could not achieve sustainability as a stand-alone football academy. The centre must appeal to the 'broad church' of users - Football, Rugby, Athletics, Archery and Golf et al are crucial to ensuring the overall sustainability.

Allied to the above, the centre must have ancillary services to support the operation and to drive additional footfall. Particularly crucial is the inclusion of gymnasium, sauna/steam room facilities which have been identified as a 'must have' facility by a number of the parties polled.

c. Additionality and Diversification

To overcome the overt seasonality (the centre peak usage is likely to be the winter) it will be important to develop a range of services and facilities to attract a wider swathe of visitors.

The key elements identified are Café, Creche and Day Care (to allow parents to use the gym and fitness suites whilst their children are being cared for in an on-site facility).

Another key element is the attraction of 'events' to the centre.

The Halkirk Community Sports Foundation will seek to generate surplus income with a minimum objective of operating in a cost neutral environment.

The buy-in from the multiple stakeholders in the Far North has been positive, indicating their widespread support for a major sport and leisure centre. However, careful scheduling of users will be a key requirement of the Centre Manager

The issue of multiple stakeholders wishing to use the facility at peak times has been examined in detail in the scheduling plan (see pages 20 & 21); the aim being to allow maximum use at peak times/months (winter evenings and weekends.