Eurobodalla Council, having recently appointed NBRS Architecture design of the new Batemans Bay Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre (BBRAALC), have sent approximately 100 invitations to various groups and individuals inviting them to participate in key focus groups to look over concept plans of the new facility.
It is envisaged that the establishment of focus groups will play a pivotal role in providing input into the design options, functionality and general layout of the BBRAALC. The role of the focus groups is to provide unique insights related to their area of speciality to help ensure that the current and future needs of potential users are well understood/considered and where applicable can be incorporated into the design to be developed by the architect. It is hoped that the focus groups will provide an opportunity for a broad cross section of individuals from across the community to have a direct involvement in the project by:
· Participating in its design so that the current and future needs of users are considered.
· Provide a unique perspective from their individual points of view on how the facility can/could be used in terms of use and accessibility.
The focus groups will hopefully reflect a composition from all of the following representatives:
· Primary Schools/Secondary Schools (public and private)
· Health Care Providers
· Retirement/Residential Care Facilities
· Sporting Club Representatives
· Swimming Pool Users
· Arts Community
· Business Sector
· Community Groups
The first of a three long days of engagement will see each group arranged so as to have people from that group working with the architect in a session. For example, all representatives from Primary/Secondary Schools would form one group. It is envisaged that this process should allow similar thought processes to occur and should ensure better continuity in any discussions.
While it is calculated that each focus group will have no more than 10 people however, based on the responses to the invitations sent out a second group may be established.
Of interest is that the consultation with the focus groups is not an opportunity to revise or significantly alter any decisions made by the Council with regard to the base functionality or design of the BBRAALC.
Prior to contacting the various people/groups to participate in the focus groups it was agreed that the members of the Sunset Committee would also be provided the opportunity to review the invitation list with a view of adding any people/groups that may have been accidentally omitted. In addition it was also agreed that Council will reach out to those members of the community that are not included in the focus groups via the Council website. It is understood that these activities are occurring in parallel.
The invitation only meetings will be held at a venue in Batemans Bay offering around 1.5 hours to each focus group to see and discuss the concept plans and to offer feedback
