How To Expand Your Programming Options

From the standard sports development and tumbling classes to more unique programs like intramural Quidditch and water pole dancing sessions, programming options are seemingly endless. The success and profitability of your organization relies on offering diverse user groups a wide range of programs to pique their interests. However, what's successful for one organization may be a flop in another, and that's why it's crucial to have a solid understanding of who your members are. By understanding their demographic characteristics, you can formulate a programming mix that fits the generational, cultural and family lifecycle make-up of your community, college or club. Knowing your members is one thing, but figuring out exactly what programs fit their needs and wants can be the hard part. Here are some tips to help you out:

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Round-the-Clock Programming for Competition Pools

Aquatics facility operators are always looking for ways to fill the water during more hours of the day. But for large rectilinear pools, introducing recreational programming isn't always the best way to diversify use. Clovis West High School in Fresno, Calif., which has hosted the California Interscholastic Federation State Swimming & Diving Championships for five consecutive years, has a laser focus on competition aquatics — and still manages to keep the pool in use more than 12 hours a day, six days a week.

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Lifeguard Shortage Closes Pools, Challenges Industry

From coast to coast, a widespread shortage of lifeguards is causing closures and limited hours of operation for public swimming pools and aquatic facilities.

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Aquatics Programming for Fun and Profit

For those who have staked their careers in the aquatics industry, it comes as no surprise that the majority of an aquatics facility's revenue is generated through two means: learn-to-swim programs and competitive swim teams. These two staples of the aquatics facility landscape are dependable, continuous, low-maintenance — and predictable. Unfortunately, this means that the bulk of a facility's cost-recovery rests on the shoulders of a relatively small population. How can facility managers cater to the needs of their most loyal patrons while driving growth in the simultaneous goals of fun and profit?

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How One Colorado Recreation District Brought the Outdoors In In a city known for outdoor recreation, we explore how a vibrant aquatic center and strong programming has helped turn the Montrose Community Recreation Center into a smashing success. read more

How to Add More Fun to Your Aquatic Facility This Summer (Sponsored) Learn how Wibit inflatables are bringing fun to commercial aquatic facilities worldwide. We'll explain how these inflatables can turn any pool into a diversified obstacle course that's fun for patrons of all ages. read more

New Pool Space Solutions from Down Under (Sponsored) Learn how SwimWall Systems from S.R.Smith maximize pool space and allow a variety of aquatic activities to take place simultaneously. A game-changer for commercial pool operators. read more

How to Maximize the Use of Aquatics Recreation Space

Creative programming is key to counterbalancing the costs of operating a successful aquatics facility — even for college campuses like North Dakota State University, where the aquatics center's building and operation costs come out of student fees. Students who voted in 2013 to build the school's new aquatics center prioritized certain specialty programming — such as indoor scuba diving certification opportunities — as must-haves that made an increase in the cost of attendance worthwhile. Those looking for creative ways to broaden the classes, competitions and just-for-fun features that beckon patrons into an aquatics space will find many products aimed at expanding the patron base — as well as a few minor programming tweaks that can help appeal to a larger audience.

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