This article appeared in the September issue of Athletic Business. Athletic Business is a free magazine for professionals in the athletic, fitness and recreation industry. Click here to subscribe.
Michael Kearney
Michael Kearney
facility director, Ambassador Wellness Center, Nebraska City, Neb.
"First, I would look into equipment to help maximize a small space in our weight room area, a new set of Body Pump weights, a UV system for our pool, and then possibly look at an upgrade in some cardio equipment. Alternatively, I have always wanted to start a scholarship program for the lower-income residents of our town. We are a privately owned health club so we get no subsidies or tax breaks, but would like to look at opportunities to engage at-risk populations."
Kathleen Matias
Kathleen Matias
aquatic facility supervisor, San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department
"I would buy at least 20 water exercise bicycles, 20 trampolines and 20 aquatic poles used for water pole dancing classes. This would generate tremendous interest in new classes and usage in our swimming pools. I also would buy new diving blocks for pools that currently have swim teams but no blocks. Any residual money left, I would use to offer swim classes for low-income families — preschool, youth and adult classes."
Doug Garner
Doug Garner
assistant director of campus recreation/adapted sports and recreation, University of Texas at Arlington
"We have expanded our adapted sport programming to include a women's wheelchair basketball team and an adapted track and field program. We would use the money to upgrade our facilities for adapted athletics and locker room facilities for our women's wheelchair basketball team."
Jim Walczyk
Jim Walczyk
director, UNC Charlotte Recreational Services
"Upgrading security (cameras, door alarms, self-combo lockers) and upgrading technology (digital signage, management software) would be my top two, and the third item would be improving aesthetics of the facility with graphics."
This article originally appeared in the September 2016 issue of Athletic Business with the title "What would you spend $100,000 on at your facility?"
