|
 Carling Development's core skill is as operators of sport and leisure facilities and the management team contain some of the most experienced available in the industry.
It is critical that the operators are able to input their expertise at every stage of a project's development to ensure that the end product fully represents the requirements and vision of the client, and that it will operate efficiently and effectively.
Many clients focus too much on the initial construction phase and forget the most important element, the 20/25 year future operation of the facility, as it is only then that investors will begin to see a return on their investment.
Carling Developments believe that their operational expertise can add significant value throughout the development of a sport or leisure facility.
These key areas are:
Business Planning/Commercial Assessment
 In order to assess the commercial viability of the project and the potential returns on investment a business plan will need to be developed.
It is our view that this should be done by those with the necessary skills and experience in operating leisure and sport facilities, only skilled operators can accurately assess the operating costs as well as understand where from, and what, the future revenue streams will be.
The Carling Developments Management Team have considerable experience in the start-up and on-going operation of many large-scale sport and leisure developments and have also produced business plans for a number of new leisure operations and would therefore be able to provide an accurate assessment of the future business potential.
[Back to top]
The Tender Process
 A professionally managed tender process will ensure that the client can produce a tender document that fully represents their requirements and vision.
This in turn will enable the bidding contractors to accurately price and timetable their bids.
As operators Carling Developments have worked with many large-scale contractors and have an in-depth knowledge of the tender process, as a result Carling Developments can contribute to the production of the tender documentation as well as the evaluation of the responses.
The input from Carling Developments would focus on the following:
- Production of the tender documentation.
- Agree an approved tender list.
- Appraise and advise on tenders and confirm programme.
- Appointment and negotiation with successful tenderer.
[Back to top]
Design Process Input
 It is critical that experienced operators are involved throughout the design process.
A sport and leisure facility is built to provide a particular service to the customer within a safe and efficient operation and the effectiveness of a facilities operation must be a key factor behind its design.
A facility will operate for many years and therefore input from operations experts at the design stage can avoid future operational problems and costly alterations.
The operational input would focus on:
- The visitor 'experience' - visitor flow, comfort and safety.
- 'Back-of-house' operations, to include catering and waste disposal.
- Facility plant, machinery and equipment - reliability, robustness, costings and replacements.
- Scope of fittings and fit-out.
A design that includes the right level of operational input will avoid considerable operational issues when open. These issues can include:
- Costly design alterations.
- Higher than necessary on-going operating costs.
- Capital replacement costs.
- Reduced level of customer service quality for the visitor.
[Back to top]
Client's Representative During Construction
 Carling Developments believes the role of Client's Representative to be the most critical in ensuring the 'end product' meets the requirements of the client, and their vision for the project is delivered.
Carling Developments are able to perform this role so effectively because they have a highly experienced team who understand the 'end product' requirements of sport and leisure facilities.
It is important for the client to have an organisation working for them that is 'client focused' and not 'contract focused'.
The contractors will be focused on the delivery of the building and not on its future operational success.
Carling Developments can provide the 'operational hat' throughout the construction of the project and will work alongside the client as their representative.
It is important to ensure that accuracy of installation is maintained and that the installation of equipment will fit future operational requirements.
[Back to top]
Developing Revenue Streams
Ensuring all potential areas of revenue are maximised through the venue is a key component in its future success.
Carling Developments, as experienced operators, know what the potential revenue streams are and most importantly, know how to maximise those.
Revenue will be driven through the following key areas:
- Sponsorship ( to include naming rights)
- Corporate boxes
- Catering rights
- Event programme
Much of the sales activity will need to begin well in advance of the venue opening and significant up-front capital can be raised through these sales.
It is important the each element is 'packaged and priced' correctly to maximise the returns for both the venue owner and purchaser.
Carling Developments have many years experience in negotiating high value revenue agreements and through its international network have high level access into many of the world's largest companies.
[Back to top]
Pre-Opening and Post-Opening Operational Support
 Although Carling Developments are able to provide operational teams to take management responsibility for sport and leisure venues, the client may wish to keep the future management responsibility 'in-house' but will need support in establishing a professional operation.
Carling Developments are able to provide the necessary support through this process which will include:
- Develop an operating structure for the entire facility.
- Production of all operating processes and procedures.
- Recruit and train all key operational function heads.
- Negotiate and implement all key support contracts.
- Develop a high quality event programme.
- Provide on-going strategic operational support for an agreed period.
[Back to top]
Management Service
Carling Developments are able to provide a comprehensive fully 'outsourced' professional management service to venue owners.
Professional management will help the venue owner to fully realise the commercial potential of the business.
Carling Developments will operate through a management contract (3-10 year term) and establish a management team to take day-to-day responsibility for the venue having agreed future operating budgets and revenue targets with the venue owner.
Professional management is able to improve profits through:
- Maintaining the infrastructure of the facility in an efficient and cost effective manner, this will keep operating costs down and reduce future capital expenditure requirements.
- Creative packaging and effective negotiation of contracts and employment of detailed market knowledge and prior sector experience.
- International market network enabling development of a quality event programme.
[Back to top]
|
