Community Sport Facilities Program

This program provides assistance to not-for-profit sport, recreation and community organisations to develop fit for purpose, sustainable and accessible places and spaces for sport and active recreation.

Funding can be used for the development of new, or the upgrade of current facilities which maintain or increase physical activity, through rational development of sustainable, good quality, well-designed and well-utilised facilities.

Program Guidelines

Community Sport Facilities Program - Funding Guidelines (PDF 741KB)

Important Dates

Applications Closed Midday, Friday 15 March 2024

Outcomes Advised - May 2024

Funding Overview

The following organisations or groups are eligible to receive funding from the CSFP:

  1. ACT State Sport Organisations (SSOs) and State Active Recreation Organisations (including National Sporting Organisations where a unitary governance model is in place).
  2. Not-for-profit sport, recreation or community organisations operating in the ACT that are either incorporated in the ACT under the Associations Incorporation Act 1991, or a company registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) with its principal outcome of business in the ACT.
  3. ACT Licensed Clubs, providing the project directly benefits community sport and active recreation benefits.

Please see attached guidelines for additional organisational requirements to be eligible to apply.

The following projects will be considered for funding:

  1. facility planning and design, which may include feasibility studies (i.e. market analysis, management plan, concept plan, financial viability, risk assessment), options studies (i.e. site analysis/identification, concept plan, high-level cost plan), preliminary planning (i.e. preliminary sketch plans, heritage and ecological reports, geo-technical report, cost plan) and detailed planning (final sketch plans, document readiness, development application, detailed cost plan);
  2. upgrades to existing facilities and constructing new facilities;
  3. facilities and infrastructure upgrades that are female friendly – see www.sport.act.gov.au for guidelines;
  4. projects which encourage flexible, multi-use, shared and integrated facilities and services;
  5. projects which foster inclusive, diverse, accessible and responsible facility development through universal design, environmental sustainability, and strategically planned facilities;
  6. projects which encourage collaboration with schools, service providers, facility managers and community organisations to deliver participation outcomes;
  7. new playing surfaces;
  8. the development of sport infrastructure to increase the accessibility and diversity of organised sport and active recreation activity opportunities and enhance the experience of users;
  9. change rooms and ablutions;
  10. sports storage;
  11. enhancement of ACT Public School facilities that improve access and use by community sport and recreation organisations; and
  12. upgrades to existing facilities that enhance the participation experience and the opportunities for social connection in the community sport setting.

Please see attached guidelines for a list of ineligble projects.

Applicants can select from the following funding streams:

Facility Planning and Design Stream

  1. Facility planning and design funding. This will be awarded to planning and design projects that will be complete within 12 months and have a total investment (exclusive of GST) of up to $250,000. Types of planning and design projects may include feasibility studies, facility management plans, facility design plans etc.

Capital Works / Construction Stream

  1. Single year funding. This will be awarded to facility upgrade or development projects that will be complete within 12 months and have a total investment (exclusive of GST) of $5,000 - $1,000,000.
  2. Multi-year funding. This will be awarded to projects that require a planning and construction period of two years and have a total investment (exclusive of GST) of up to $2,000,000 (e.g. an applicant may request up to $1,000,000 in year one and up to $1,000,000 in year two – for a total investment of $2,000,000).

Please note:

  • Co-investment towards the project is strongly encouraged and will be viewed more favourably.
  • Each project requires a separate application. Bundled or multiple site projects will not be accepted.
  • There is no guarantee that the full amount of investment requested will be received.
  • Receiving financial assistance under the CSFP does not guarantee future stages of your project will be funded.

Applications that meet all the general eligibility requirements will be assessed against the following criteria in meeting the objectives and outcomes of the CSFP:

Project Overview

  • Why has the proposed project been prioritised?
  • What will the CSFP funding specifically be used for?
  • Who will benefit from the proposed project?
  • Who will be responsible for the management of the project?
  • How will you measure the impact of the project?
  • When will the project commence and be completed?
  • How much will the total project cost and how much CSFP funding are you applying for? note: co-investment from the applicant organisation towards the project is strongly encouraged and will be viewed favourably.
  • Which eligible categories does the project align with?
  • Does the project align with any of the ineligible categories?

Project Need

  • What process did the organisation undertake to ensure the proposed facility project is needed / justified? Mandatory evidence: a formalised needs analysis process (e.g. feasibility study) is required to have been undertaken for projects over $500,000.
  • How will the project address an identified need, gap or deficiency in the availability of sport facilities to the ACT community?
  • How will the project lead to positive participation and facility utilisation outcomes for sport or active recreation?
  • Will the project facilitate improved inclusive access to organised sport or active recreation; and if so, how?
  • Will the project improve the quality, safety, or standard of sport / active recreation facilities that are available to the community; and if so, how?
  • How does the facility project align with key priorities within the organisation’s strategic plan?
  • How does the facility project align with key priorities within the CBR Next Move strategic plan?
  • What alternatives to the proposed project were considered and why were they rejected?

Project Feasibility

  • Has the organisation undertaken a feasibility study relating to the project? Mandatory Evidence: A project feasibility study must be provided for all projects with a total budget over $500,000.
  • Does the facility project involve partnerships which will result in shared use / multi-purpose use of the facility? Mandatory Evidence: A statement from partners regarding the nature of the shared use / multi-purpose facility project agreement is required for all shared use / multi-purpose facility projects.
  • Has the organisation applied a Life Cycle Cost Analysis process to the project? Mandatory Evidence: A lifecycle cost analysis must be provided for all projects with a budget over $500,000.

Project Planning

  • Has a clear, detailed, and realistic project plan been developed which meets CSFP requirements regarding project commencement and completion dates, etc.? Mandatory Evidence: Examples could include (but may not be limited to) – feasibility study terms of reference / report, project management plan, design plans, evidence of landowner’s consent, planning / building approvals, required statutory approvals, project budget, etc.
  • Has a detailed project budget been developed which clearly identifies all project components   that will be funded by the CSFP investment and any components to be funded by the applicant? Mandatory Evidence: For capital works/construction projects valued at over $500,000, applicants must provide an independent, detailed costings plan developed by a certified quantity surveyor. Mandatory Evidence: For projects valued under $500,000, applicants could include (but may not be limited to) - Project budget; quotes for all project related work which include the name and description of the item(s) or service(s) to be purchased, the quantity and total cost item(s) or service(s) to be purchased; and the supplier’s business/company details (business name, Australian Business Number or website).

Note: co-investment from the applicant organisation towards the project is strongly encouraged and will be viewed favourably.

  • Do all facility related project plans (e.g. concept designs, architect plans, builder plans, etc.) meet Australian Design Standards, ACT Government   facility planning requirements, any sport specific facility standards appropriate to the nature of the facility and environmentally sustainable design principles? Mandatory Evidence: Examples could include (but may not be limited to) - evidence of the project meeting key design and building standards as appropriate (e.g. Australian Standards for Sport Facility Lighting, Female Friendly Changeroom Guidelines, specific sport design standards, etc.)
  • Does the organisation have access to capacity, expertise, and skills needed to deliver the project   outcomes successfully, within stated timelines and budgets; and if not, how will the organisation access the required expertise? Mandatory Evidence: Examples could include (but may not be limited to) - project management plan (inclusive of roles and responsibilities matrix), list of names, roles and qualifications of key project management personnel, names of firms being targeted to provide specific expertise, etc.

Completing an application

Step 1: Check your eligibility

  • Before you apply, please read the guidelines to make sure you understand all relevant requirements, including whether you are eligible to apply.
  • Applications including all support material, must be made through the online SmartyGrants portal to be considered eligible.

Step 2: Prepare your application

  • Applying for the Community Sport Facilities Program is a simple process using the SmartyGrants Platform.
  • An online help guide can be found here: Help Guide for Applicants (smartygrants.com.au)
  • It is recommended that applicants familiarise themselves with the online application form ahead of preparing the application and gather supporting documentation ahead of the closing date. You can download a copy of the application form prior to commencing your application.
  • It is expected that the time required to coordinate the quotes, support letters, plans, financial documents and other relevant attachments required can take in excess of 10+ hours. Sport and Recreation suggest that applicants take this into consideration when planning to submit an application.
  • It is recommended that you contact Sport and Recreation to discuss your project before starting your application.

Step 3: Submit your application

  • Complete the application by filling in each of the sections.
  • Submit the application before the closing date and time.
  • Successful submissions will be issued with a SmartyGrants system generated acknowledgement email containing a PDF copy of the application which will confirm the time the application was submitted.