Summary
Nationwide facility planning and development in snowsport is very much in its infancy compared to many sports where research-based facility standards and specifications have been developed over 40 years or more. Snowsport England identified the need to have a National Facilities Strategy that met the needs of current and future participation trends, and was economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.
Approach
We were commissioned to support the development of the audit and strategy. In 2010, we conducted a comprehensive audit of Snowsport facilities over a 3 month period. The assessment process included a desk based review and 50 site visits to snowsport facilities. Site visits incorporated interviews with management staff and site surveys focused on the quantity, quality, accessibility and future adaptability of provision.
Needs assessments were undertaken through market surveys with snowsport clubs and an open forum session at the annual general meeting of Snowsport England which offered an opportunity for members to engage with the shaping of strategic priorities for facilities. In addition, visits were made to several proposed snowsport centres and meetings were held with surface manufacturers.
The audit provided a solid foundation of evidence to build the strategy. We engaged senior decision makers, facility operators and representatives from each snowsport discipline in the process of shaping the strategy.
Outcome
The standard of facilities has an impact on the level of satisfaction users’ gain from participating and whether their experiences lead to sustained snowsport participation in England. Although Snowsport England lacked the resources to build facilities, they aimed to guide and influence the provision of facilities, to maintain and, where possible, protect existing provision, determine the future of planned/proposed developments, promote partnership working and prioritise the use of resources. The strategy sought to meet four key outcomes:
Outcome 1: Sustained and increased levels of snowsport participation and satisfaction
Outcome 2: Improved performance in international competition
Outcome 3: Facility managers engaged with the activities of Snowsport England
Outcome 4: Evidence-based planning standards and guidance for future facility development.