Lincoln University – Recreation Centre Upgrade

Several years after the Canterbury earthquakes and several reports later, Lincoln University engaged RSL Consultancy to provide recommendations on the future of the Recreation Centre. As the central hub for sport and recreation on campus, the Recreation Centre is an integral part of student, staff and the wider community’s well-being. However, the Centre was getting tired. It was a mish mash of rooms, some not even fit for purpose. Changes needed to occur to accommodate the growth in memberships and bring it into the 21st century.

RSL worked with students, staff and the wider community to understand current and future needs. RSL used two consultants (both Lincoln University alumni) to listen and learn from the those who interact with the Recreation Centre. The needs and learning gained were then taken and converted into a series of development options, ranging from a completely new facility through to minor adjustments. The Lincoln University Council settled on a significant re-development (circa $10m) of the centre.

RSL then went on to develop the Functional Design Brief for Lincoln University which translated the client needs into a series of spaces for the designers to use to create the building designs. This functional design brief not only looked at room sizes, but uses, connections, technology and many other requirements.

This re-development will see older spaces demolished and re-built, newer areas being upgraded and retrofitted, while additional space is added to cope with the additional demand. The concrete has been poured (June 2020) and it is anticipated the new and improved Recreation Centre will be open in 2021.