JULY/AUGUST 2002

To everything there is, of course, a season. Or so it used to be. Now recreation directors are getting more out of their facilities by getting more creative with their offerings. All over the country, operations that used to be winter-only or summer-specific are now open year-round.

We feature an inside look at how some four-season facilities market themselves the whole year through, drawing good business from seasonal sports and activities and turning off-seasons into popular times.

Upscale, downscale or in between, facility managers ultimately want the same things for their buildings: efficiency, ease of maintenance, good security and aesthetics that appeal to users. And nowhere does that apply more than locker rooms and restrooms.

Glamorous or not, locker rooms and restrooms are, well, absolute necessities. What's hot and what's not when it comes to current designs that provide comfort and cleanliness?

In many ways, recreational facilities have been multi-use as long as they have existed. However, as the modern public's appetite for recreation, entertainment and education increases, the boundaries of “multi-use” are being stretched in many ways.

Facilities are finding out they can get more bang for their bucks from versatile designs. Learn how multipurpose facilities can serve many needs with the same space, promoting better efficiency, convenience and savings.

No festival is a simple undertaking. Like any special event, it requires an incredible amount of organization and time, detailed planning, many moving pieces, and of course, a dedicated staff to put it all together. Here are some helpful pointers.

Operating a miniature golf course can be a fun, easy and profitable business venture. Once you've decided on it as your entrepreneurial endeavor and investment, probably the biggest decision will be the type of course that best suits your needs. Learn about your options.

It's impossible to overestimate the importance of creative play to child development. Accessibility is definitely not a new topic when in comes to playgrounds, but when we make a playground accessible, are we also consciously making certain that it's inclusive?

The North Jeffco Park and Recreation District officials wanted an the look and feel of an indoor waterpark when planning their 23,500-square-foot aquatics area. Find out how they designed it.

Sometimes the summer weather can be so sweltering even a dip in the pool doesn't help. And not only is the tepid water not all that enticing to patrons, it is unfortunately inviting to bacteria, viruses and algae, all adding up to an uncomfortable and unhealthy pool.

Louisiana is known for more than its share of brutally simmering days, which is why the arm base in Fort Polk chose the right artillery for its two 50-meter swimming pools.