Strategy before concept: A key for future sports facilities
Advert by IAKS member BPM Sports
Today’s sports facilities face more than structural challenges. Alongside digitalization, changing user expectations and rising demands for cost-effectiveness, one core question remains:
Many sports infrastructures are over 50 years old. Consequently, investment decisions do not just concern the matter of renovation vs. reconstruction, but also the future direction of services, operating models and financing structures. This requires a critical review of existing patterns: How are deficits being distributed and what burdens should clubs or municipalities bear? Such strategic questions cannot be answered by mere concepts of utilization or operation.
In reality, a conceptional approach is often chosen too soon. This leaves questions about the “why” unanswered: What value should the facility deliver, which target groups reached and what goals in the public sector pursued?
© BPM Sports
Together with politicians, administrations and stakeholders, we develop resilient strategies for sports facilities. Matters such as finance, service, organization and operation are evaluated holistically and early, while involving the public to ensure long-term support.
The result is a foundation upon which subsequent concepts can securely be built. After all, it is those who answer the strategic questions first, who can ultimately create successful sporting infrastructures – or as we put it earlier: Strategy first, concept second.