Source: SFA|SFM
(Clearwater, FL) March 25, 2015—In response to massive changes in the aquatics and swimming pool industry, Sports Facilities Advisory and the Sports Facilities Management (SFA|SFM) has teamed up with Counsilman-Hunsaker to address the fundamental challenges which aquatic centers typically face. The purpose of the partnership with Counsilman-Hunsaker is to support the health and economic vitality of the communities SFA|SFM serves by managing the centers with a very specific set of objectives that are developed in collaboration with the company’s public clients.
A recent study by the National Recreation and Parks Association shows that home prices near a park or public recreation center are nearly $8,000 higher than homes in other locations. According to Jason Clement, Founding Partner and COO of SFA|SFM, many of the company’s clients engage SFA|SFM to support the economic vitality of their communities, which SFA|SFM accomplishes through the management of recreation and sports amenities which improve home values and the overall tax base of communities by providing improved quality of life while attracting employers. The aquatics segment of sports recreation is highly specialized, with unique safety, staffing and operational aspects; such always tie back to the program plan and design. Factors such as the filtration and chlorination systems and expense, lifeguard requirements, multi-generational appeal, and the overall revenue and expense structure are part of the spectrum of factors requiring a tight connection between management and design. By establishing a partnership with Counsilman-Hunsaker, SFA|SFM is achieving that connection, and the beneficiaries are the communities and taxpayers it ultimately serves.
Counsilman-Hunsaker President Scott Hester said, “We’ve seen the aquatics industry evolve over the last five decades and that experience has given us our most important insight; everything we do is for people. It’s not simply about design, engineering or operations. It’s about facilitating life experiences that are among the richest and deepest a human can have. Our partnership with SFA|SFM is allowing us to improve aquatics operations which results in greater access and more new pool openings, and can reduce the burden on communities that are already stretched to meet citizen demands.”
Throughout Counsilman-Hunsaker’s 45‑year history, the organization has been an aquatic industry thought leader and, as such, is widely recognized as North America’s leading aquatic consulting firm. SFA|SFM (http://www.sportadvisory.com/home.html) provides funding and management services to indoor and outdoor sports complexes, and in 2014, its client facilities hosted more than 12 million visits. For 2015, the firm has forecasted more than 15 million visits into its facilities, many of which now include management of aquatics centers which Clement says is the direct result of the partnership with Counsilman-Hunsaker. “Counsilman-Hunsaker has the design and operations expertise for pools, while we have the marketing, programming, financial management and day-to-day management and leadership experience that have allowed us to consistently beat forecasts and create financially sustainable models through improved bottom line results. It has proven to be a great relationship,” said Clement.
Together, SFA|SFM and Counsilman-Hunsaker look to bring innovative solutions, new budgeting and strategic approaches, improved program plans, and management services to an array of aquatic environments, from competition pools to warm water therapeutic environments, community aquatic centers, recreational water parks, and even medical rehabilitation centers. The companies’ collective expertise in management and planning services are predicted to answer community demand and provide tremendously successful aquatic operations.
To learn more, email info@sportadvisory.com or call SFA|SFM offices at (727) 474‑3845 to schedule a consultation with one of our aquatics planning and management experts.
About Counsilman-Hunsaker:
Since 1970, Counsilman-Hunsaker has been a lifelong devotee of a single pursuit: Aquatics for Life. It believes your vision is where aquatics begin. Counsilman-Hunsaker puts power behind your vision, helping you to exceed expectations of aquatics facility users. Its passion, knowledge and expertise provides the fuel that gives you power to do great things.
From existing facility evaluations to comprehensive concept development; from project visioning through design, engineering, construction administration and facility operations; Counsilman-Hunsaker’s services are completely customized and configured in a variety of ways to precisely fit the needs, desires and objectives of the aquatics community. With experience spanning around the world, Counsilman-Hunsaker’s impact can be found in world-class competition venues, universities and educational institutions, community park and recreation aquatics centers, resorts, water parks, and therapy and wellness facilities.
Since its beginning, it has combined the art of innovative design with the science of ongoing research to develop state-of-the-art, high-efficiency aquatics centers. The talent and natural curiosity of its integrated team of designers, engineers and operational specialists is what gives Counsilman-Hunsaker the momentum to create aquatic experiences that transform people and communities.
About Sports Facilities Advisory and Sports Facilities Management (SFA|SFM):
The Sports Facilities Advisory and Sports Facilities Management (SFA|SFM) is the leading resource in sports facility planning and management. SFA|SFM has served a portfolio totaling over $4 billion in planned and operational sports centers in communities throughout the USA and internationally since its inception in 2003. Youth and amateur sports and community recreation centers now require professional planning and management. SFA’s proprietary data system—based on years of planning, funding and managing facilities, coupled with the rise of the youth sports segment—is the engine behind the development of SFM. Since its inception, SFM has become an industry leader in the management of amateur sports and events complexes, and along with SFA, provides the planning, financing and management expertise needed to turn ideas into successful recreation facilities. SFA|SFM serves both public and private clients. Its services fall into four main categories: plan, fund, open and manage, which encompass every phase from early-stage feasibility studies to preparing financing documents, overseeing development and opening and full-time management services. SFA|SFM’s success depends upon its mission to dramatically improve communities through the opening or optimization of sports and recreation centers. For more information, visit www.sportadvisory.com/home.html.
