The plan will be developed with the input of the various user groups that will be required to share the facilities at Alexandra Oval.

Mr Simon said it was necessary to set out a clear set of guidelines which would allow the groups to resolve disputes once the new precinct was developed.

''The management plan will provide stakeholders with an agreed set of goals and objectives for the use of the precinct,'' he said.

''With any facility or precinct that's got a number of different user groups there will always be a need to resolve an issue, whether it's moving forward in the development of the facility or whether it's just allocating the use.

''The management plan will outline how the facility will be managed from an administrative perspective and then on a day to day basis.

''It will define the roles and responsibilities of everyone, from council right down to a one-off user each year like the Highland Games.''

In order to develop the new management plan Simon Leisure Consulting will conduct a series of workshops with representatives from the regular user groups.

Mr Simon said three workshops have been planned over a six week period but more will be scheduled if needed.

Information collected during the workshops will then be collated in the format of a management plan which will evolve during each meeting.

Representatives from the key user groups and the The Alexandra Oval Reserve Committee of Management will then have the opportunity to report back to their respective committees.

Mr Simon said it is vital that all groups are actively involved in the process.

''What I don't want to see, because in my experience it doesn't work, is for me to come in and collect all the information, go away for eight weeks and bring back a plan strategy based on what you've told me,'' he said.

''You as user groups won't have any involvement if I take that approach.

''By the time we get to the end (of the management plan) there should be no surprises. People, including people not involved in the workshops, should be understanding how it's evolving and what implications and opportunities there are for their group throughout the process.''

Mr Simon expects the management plan to be completed by the end of April but said groups would work on it for as long as necessary.

''It will take as long as it takes because we need to get it right,'' he said.

''I want to make sure that there's a really good outcome here because it's a very exciting development.''

Once completed, the management plan will provide:

An agreed set of goals and objectives for the use of the precinct.

Clear statements about how the precinct will be used, including the sporting areas and supporting infrastructure.

* A clear management framework or decision-making process.

* Well defined roles and responsibilities for all (user agreements).

* Consistent (documented) procedure for the day-to-day operation, administration and use of the precinct.

* Asset management.

* A financial plan (maintenance and development).