Section 4: Demand Assessment 4.5 Quantifying Demand - Significant Provision Changes in the Next 10 Years 4.5.1 Sport and Recreation Capital Works Programme Sportsgrounds The current level and standard of sportsground provision is under pressure from the existing sporting codes. Sport NZ facts indicate that, nationally, formal sports participation rates have fallen, yet Marlborough is experiencing a higher demand for longer playing seasons and summer leagues. The Council to date has reacted by using alternative demand management practices such as educating user groups and encouraging user group synergies, as well as stringent management of the surfaces, especially during wet weather periods, to extend the playing seasons. The Marlborough Outdoor Sports Facility Plan identified current and future gaps in provision. This has been identified in future capital budget. As technology continues to increase the capacity of sports surfaces to accommodate users, there will be alternative management options available other than simply increasing sportsground provision. A feasible option to enhance the performance of existing sportsgrounds is using a combination of natural and synthetic turf technologies and facilities to increase turf capacity. Lansdowne Park River reserve land adjoining the northern boundary of Lansdowne Park is being developed into a softball Park to alleviate pressure between Football and Cricket at Oliver Park. A&P will become dedicated to football both summer and winter leagues, along with hosting events and markets. The Sport field development is funded but adjoining infrastructure is yet to be determined. Council will continue to work with Marlborough Softball to progress the development. Council has entered into a lease agreement with Central Rugby Club to create additional public car parking which will serve the Softball Park and remainder of the Park. Netball has been requesting an upgrade of facilities at Horton Park for several years. The Marlborough outdoor sports facility plan identified Lansdowne Park as a potential site for netball. There is currently a netball location feasibility study being conducted to determine the most suitable location for netball. The result of this study will require funding of either an upgraded facility at Horton Park or a new development at Lansdowne Park. Staff will work closely with the users of the Park as planned developments to create a multiuse facility at Lansdowne are progressed. Horton Park Marlborough Cricket has developed a long term development plan for Horton Park. A lot of the proposed development options are dependent on the decision of Netballs location. Development of Horton Park is not currently funded but Marlborough Cricket is committed to external fundraising with possible Council funding through the annual plan public submission process. Rewi Murray Polo Park Rewi Murray Reserve has recently been developed for use by rugby, football and touch. At present it is only used for training purposes. The surface development is ongoing as we have some compatibility issues to work out between Polo use in the summer and sports in the winter. Page 54