Te Puke Recreation and Aquatic Centre Feasibility Study

4.0 Value of Sport of Sport and Recreation“Sport has the power to unite people in a way little else can. Sport can create hope. Breaksdown racial barriers … laughs in the face of discrimination … speaks to people in a languagethey can understand.”- Nelson MandelaThere are many benefits that sport and recreation bring to a community which enhances people’s physical,social and even economic wellbeing. Many studies have been undertaken in recent times that have examinedthe value of sport. The Western Australian State Government has undertaken one such comprehensive study.The findings of which are very similar to other international research.The key findings of the Western Australian State Government study on the value of sport and recreation areidentified below.Key Considerations of the SectionInternational research has identified that increasing community participation in organised sport and recreationcontributes positively to the following components of a community in the below ways:• Builds communities.• Develops social inclusion.• Reduces anti-social behavior.• Improves education.• Improves physical and mental well being.• Assists economic growth.• Aids urban and regional regeneration.The proposed aquatic and indoor recreation centre development at Te Puke will provide much more than justa sport and recreation facility. For example, potential water polo competitions (that require space in theWestern Bay of Plenty) could drive additional spending on accommodation and goods and services while theproposed facility itself would generate employment.Social benefits would also be derived from the proposed aquatic and indoor recreation centre. The facilitycould serve to help create new relationships among disparate social groups (for examples between transientworkers and the local population).It would also undoubtedly assist in developing stronger social networks and opportunities for socialengagement amongst residents (through activities such as social sports programmes).The wider benefits of sport and recreation have been well researched and the proposed aquatic and indoorrecreation centre would certainly be able to foster many of these benefits within Te Puke.17