Sponsored by Xplor Technologies

According to Recreation Management’s State of the Industry Report, staffing is the top challenge faced by recreation, sports and fitness facilities, but increasing participation and engagement with visitors is also high on the list of top concerns. Both of these issues can be addressed with self-serve technologies that lessen the load on staff while improving engagement with all demographics.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14. In recognition of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) and Every Child A Swimmer announced they were partnering with Goldfish Swim School Franchising to ensure more children have access to low- to no-cost swimming lessons.

Some audiences tend to be left out when it comes to learn-to-swim opportunities, with economic as well as racial disparities having a heavy impact on who does and does not learn to swim. The Aquatic Trends Report found that the number of respondents providing outreach programs to these audiences has fallen slightly.

Excel Dryer has upgraded to electrostatic HEPA filtration, which is an optional feature for the XLERATOR hand dryer models and is now available in its newly expanded, surface-mounted, ADA-compliant ThinAir Hand Dryer product line.

IronCraft, LLC introduces the X-Treme Skid Steer Trencher, which makes quick work of trenching projects in the toughest soil conditions. 

National Park Service Director Chuck Sams and Parks Canada President and Chief Executive Officer Ron Hallman signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to reinforce the longstanding relationship between the two organizations during an event hosted in Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation’s largest trails advocacy organization, announced that California’s Sacramento River Rail Trail and Sacramento River Trail will be inducted to its iconic Hall of Fame.

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub and spa industry, announced that its first cohort of the PHTA Leadership Certificate Program Powered by Cornell University has graduated. 

August may be summer recess for the U.S. Congress, but for IHRSA, the Global Health & Fitness Association, it offers an opportunity to launch a grassroots campaign urging co-sponsorship of the PHIT Act of 2023.

Sports Field Management Association announced that the students of the Atlee High School Turf Science Program in Mechanicsville, Va., have won the association’s "Stars and Stripes" contest for the second straight year.