The ability to choose wisely comes down to dollars and sense
By Erica DiCioccio
Continued facility maintenance and upkeep are an essential part of an effective operations strategy, but inevitably, a department will need to choose between renovating existing facilities or building new ones; which option is better depends on a variety of factors. However, this proven process will help assess the options and confidently recommend the optimal one to city leaders and community members.
At the highest level, begin by assessing the existing facilities in question in the context of city goals and community needs. This allows you to identify what renovations may be necessary. Establishing a renovation scope can then be costed and compared to one for new construction in order to determine which choice is better. In short, conduct a feasibility study.
A feasibility study will provide essential information about a facility’s status:
- Its general fitness and ability to continue to support community programming and events
- Disability access
- The condition of the building’s major systems
- The possibility of maintaining key elements of the facility, or whether it is beyond a serviceable life expectancy
- Availability of parts to provide proper maintenance.