From Grandstands to Clubrooms: Getting More Life from Existing Sports Facilities

16 September 2026

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With construction at Owen Delany Park in Taupō anticipated to begin early next year, it's a timely reminder that some of the most successful projects don't start with a green field site. They start with an existing building that still has plenty of value to offer.

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With construction at Owen Delany Park in Taupō anticipated to begin early next year, it's a timely reminder that some of the most successful projects don't start with a green field site.

They start with an existing building that still has plenty of value to offer. Across New Zealand, many sports clubs, community organisations and local authorities face a common challenge: ageing facilities that no longer meet current needs, nor support wellbeing, but still require ongoing maintenance. Clubrooms become tired and inefficient. Changing rooms no longer support modern teams. Roofs and building envelopes reach the end of their life. Accessibility requirements evolve., Yet, in these tough economic times, budgets remain tight.

At Owen Delany Park, Stephenson & Turner was engaged to investigate how the venue's ageing grandstand could be strengthened, refreshed and repositioned for the future. Through a carefully considered design approach, the project evolved beyond seismic strengthening alone to include improvements to changing facilities, public amenities, accessibility, clubrooms and hospitality spaces. Importantly, this was achieved by making smarter use of existing assets rather than starting from scratch, or extensively extending This approach reflects a philosophy we bring to sports and recreation projects throughout New Zealand: understanding where investment will create the greatest impact for users whilst delivering long-term value for building owners.

The Opportunity in Sports Hub Upgrades

Not every sports facility requires a multi-million-dollar redevelopment. Often, the most meaningful improvements come from targeted interventions:

Clubroom upgrades that improve usability and community appeal
Locker room and changing facility refurbishments
Accessibility improvements
Roofing and building envelope renewals
Kitchen and hospitality upgrades
Seismic strengthening and resilience improvements
Building performance and energy efficiency improvements

These projects can significantly improve the experience for players, volunteers, spectators and the wider community while extending the life of existing facilities.

For clubs navigating capital planning, asset management or funding applications, understanding what can be achieved within an existing building can unlock opportunities that may initially seem out of reach.

Designing for Long-Term Value

One of the biggest challenges facing sporting organisations is balancing aspiration with affordability. Successful facility upgrades require more than good design. They require a clear understanding of asset performance, future user needs, staged delivery options and budget constraints.

Our experience working across sports hubs, community facilities and recreation infrastructure in New Zealand has shown that thoughtful asset renewal can often deliver exceptional outcomes without the environmental and financial cost of demolition and replacement. Whether it's a grandstand, sports pavilion, community clubroom or changing facility, the goal is always the same: maximise value from the investment while creating spaces people genuinely enjoy using.At Owen Delany Park, the project's efficient design enabled two buildings to be upgraded within the budget originally allocated to one, creating greater value for both the client and the community.

Looking Ahead

As work progresses toward construction at Owen Delany Park, we're excited to see a much-loved sporting venue enter its next chapter. More broadly, the project highlights an important message for sports clubs, councils and community organisations: upgrading existing facilities isn't just about fixing what's old. It's about creating resilient, progressive spaces that continue to serve their communities for decades to come