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Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INDOOR FACILITIES
Access
• This should be controlled preferably by a single, well signed, and easily approached, entry point, but with several, suitable and well signed exits points. The exit points should be located to allow good access back to public transport and/or parking. Often exits will be placed next to or near the main entry, but are separated by barriers of some type.
• Entry can be prevented through exit ways by the use of such means as one way gates or revolving doors, or in the case of facilities with high numbers of users, by manned exits.
• Good, clear, well signed access is also important within the indoor facility. A maze of ill lit, poorly signed passageways, will guarantee that someone will get lost, or delayed, perhaps missing the start of a sporting event.
• Provision should be made for different types of users e.g. disabled, visually impaired, etc. This can often be easily achieved through the provision of ramps instead of, or as well as, steps, the use of suitably placed guide rails, easily accessed disabled parking spaces as close to the entry point as possible.
Security
Good security is very important in any facility. Both users and staff will not wish to use the facility if there is any risk to them of attack or abuse, or if their property/belongings can be readily damaged or stolen. The facility itself requires protection (e.g. vandalism and theft).
• Generally only large facilities, with a lot of users, can afford to have specialised security staff. It is more common in smaller facilities for other staff (e.g. administration, instructors) to be responsible as part of their general duties, for some degree of security. This may only entail ensuring that locks are securely closed as required; or keeping an eye out for actual or potential trouble involving users, and then informing management or police; or perhaps to step in and act as a mediator or referee to settle arguments. Situations where staff are required to physically manhandle people should be avoided at all costs. In some states (e.g. Victoria) staff who are likely to be placed in such a situation (e.g. bouncers) are required to be licensed and trained.
• Good lighting can play an important part in maintaining a good level of security, both for the users and for the facility itself.
• Surveillance cameras placed carefully can allow staff (e.g. front desk) to keep a watch on potential problem areas, without having to waste a lot of time going backwards and forwards to actually visit those places.
• It may be possible to arrange regular, or even sporadic police drive bys, or visits, particularly if the facility is subject to security problems (e.g. vandalism, teenage "hang out") to help give people a feeling of increased security, and/or to deter anyone who may want to cause trouble.
Lighting
There are three major areas where lighting is important:
• Safety: a well lit (but not over lit) area will reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring, for example, tripping over an uneven surface, or poorly placed object.
• Security (see above)
• To provide good visibility for the activities being carried out in the facility. A Guide to Sports Lighting has been established by the Standards Association of Australia (AS 2560 - 1982 and later additions).
Provision of toilets/change rooms/showers
Staff quarters, plant, storage and repair/maintenance facilities
• For some larger facilities, or multiple facilities, on-site accommodation may be required for staff. This could be, for example, a caretakers cottage or house. Such accommodation should be kept as separate as possible from the recreation/leisure facilities, but should allow the relevant staff good access to the facilities. It is not much point having staff on-site to help increase security levels if they are quite a distance from the facility, or they can't readily hear or see problem areas. The on-site staff are entitled to their privacy as well, so often a compromise is required - placing the accommodation close enough to ensure some raised level of security, and that relevant staff (e.g. a caretaker) can be readily available as required, but still have such accommodation out of the way as much as possible.
• Plant, storage and maintenance facilities likewise should also be located so that the impact of their presence on the sports/recreation/leisure activities carried out in the facility is minimised, but still placed so that their services, etc. can be readily accessed.
First Aid and Safety Equipment (provision, location, etc.)
Signage
• Should be adequate but not too much, otherwise people get confused or just turned off (and don't read it).
• Needs to be large enough (both the sign and writing) to easily read.
• The writing should clearly stand out (contrast) from the background so it is easily read.
• Keep the information you are trying to convey clear and succinct.
• Ensure signs are regularly cleaned, so that their messages are easily read.
• Signs telling people where not to go (e.g. staff only, authorised personnel only, no exit) can be just as important as those telling people where to go (e.g. exit, changing rooms, kiosk).
• Foreign language signs can be very important in areas with high migrant populations, or that are visited by tourists.
Parking Space
The number of spaces required will depend on a number of factors. Generally there will be a local council requirement to provide a set amount of parking. This will often be determined on such factors as:
• The likely number of users,
• Space limitations of the facility site,
• Access to public transport,
• The availability of alternative parking (e.g. an adjacent shopping centre), particularly parking that might not have a lot of use at the times when the facility is operating at it's peak.
Calculating time charge rates to meet total annual expenditure
Keeping records
Good, clear easily understood records are important in a number of ways:
• To ensure that there are no mix ups in bookings, requirements for particular activities, etc.
• As a means of determining user profiles (e.g. what groups/individuals are using the facility, when are they using it, what are they doing, what equipment do they require, etc.
• As a safeguard/back up in case of complaints or legal action against the facility, or it's operators or staff.
• There may be a requirement by authorities (e.g. local council, state) to keep certain records.
• For audit purposes, (moneys spent and received).
Possibility of shared facilities to maximise potential e.g. A swimming pool may be used by a school as well as the local community.
• Can be conflict over who gets popular times.
• Spreads the financial costs.
• Need to be clear on responsibilities of differing parties regarding costs, staffing, management, maintenance, etc.
Flexible Study with ACS Distance Education
ACS Distance Education is unique. We allow you to choose how you study, where you study, what you study, how much you study, and when you study.
- Work fast or slow –you choose the intensity of study
- Start, pause or restart according to changing demands of work, family or lifestyle.
- Study this course by itself; or combine with others for a qualification
- Mix and match modules so you only study what you want or need to learn -We allow you to construct your own “tailor made” certificates or diplomas
- Options in assignments allow you to focus on things with greater interest to you.
- Study electronically (online or using a CD); or using printed notes.
- Use (or don’t use) supplementary services for extra learning want –unlimited access to tutors, an online student room, social media, bookstore, etc
- Orientation video and student Manual at the start of your course will provide a clear guide to how you can study and get all sorts of support no matter where you live
