The most common type of sports-related amenity currently included in the facilities of respondents to the Industry Report survey is outdoor sports courts, such as basketball, tennis and the ever-more-popular pickleball courts. More than half (55.7%) of respondents said they currently have outdoor sports courts at their facilities.
Various grants and programs across the country have made it their mission to remove the barriers to learn-to-swim program for minority and low-income communities. The number of respondents to the Aquatic Trends survey who are involved in these types of outreach programs has remained relatively consistent over the past few years.
Respondents to the Industry Report Survey from parks and camp facilities were the most likely to indicate both that they were involved in conservation initiatives and that they felt that conservation issues were a top concern for their facilities over the next several years.
While less than half (46.4%) of all respondents to the Industry Report survey in 2023 said they currently include walking and hiking trails at their facilities, more than seven out of 10 respondents from camps (76.4%) and parks (71.2%) said they currently include walking and hiking trails.
Respondents to the Industry Report survey from schools and Ys were the most likely to offer youth sports programming at their facilities, while those from health clubs were the most likely to be planning to add this type of programming over the next few years.
After a couple of rough years, when health club respondents saw the usage of their facilities decrease dramatically as the coronavirus pandemic led to shutdowns, 2022 showed things beginning to get back to business as usual.
When it comes to top industry-related concerns, respondents to the Industry Report survey from rec centers, Ys and schools were the most likely to report that they feel youth fitness and wellness is a top issue.
Around one-third (32.6%) of respondents to the Industry Report survey last year said they had plans to add staff in 2023. Another 65.6% said they were planning no changes to their staffing levels, and 1.8% had plans to reduce staff.
