To mark 50 years of Athletic Business, we polled hundreds of readers from each of our main vertical markets — college athletics, college recreation, community recreation, high school athletics, health and fitness, aquatics and architecture — to gauge the current state of the industry. What follows is a comprehensive analysis of our readers’ perspectives on the verticals they serve. To begin, we asked each of these groups about their operating budgets and deferred maintenance. Despite finding consensus on several topics, the budgetary changes across these verticals varied greatly. Respondents found far greater common ground when describing their deferred maintenance status, with a clear majority reporting less than $2 million of maintenance to be completed at their facilities.
Find your industry segment in the following pages — or get the lay of the land from your colleagues across other industries — to compare your experiences to those of other loyal AB readers. From fan behavior and emerging sports to renovations and staffing challenges, there is no shortage of topics to dive into.
In no other industry are personnel shortages so apparent than aquatics, with 57% of survey takers reporting that recruiting and retaining lifeguards is their greatest staffing challenge. Staffing and training lifeguards is the most pressing safety concern for 43% of respondents. Despite the hiring challenges, a plurality of respondents (47%) still indicate that the best investment for their facility today would be adding another body of water, which is significant given that 29% of respondents already report managing four or more bodies of water on their property. Still, half of the respondents manage a facility with only one or two bodies of water. As respondents dream of recruitment successs and upgraded facilities, 54% also cite a moderate or severe impact to their facility’s budget due to increasing energy and utility costs.
Mark Hines
Vice President of Sales and Marketing,
Paddock Pool Equipment Company
How has Paddock Pool Equipment Company evolved alongside the aquatics industry?
Paddock Pool Equipment Company has done more than evolve alongside the aquatics industry — we have been a leading innovator for more than 60 years. The number of commercial aquatics products introduced by Paddock is remarkable. The Compak Vacuum Sand Filter, true radius gutter and the Evacuator are just a few examples of innovations that have helped shape the industry.
What challenges and opportunities are aquatics facilities facing right now?
One of the biggest challenges facing aquatics facilities today is staffing. Part of the solution is paying lifeguards and other employees a fair wage that reflects the responsibility of their positions. Another important factor is creating aquatics facilities that are destination workplaces — spaces that are attractive, durable and easy to maintain. Indoor facilities must also prioritize good indoor air quality so employees and guests are not exposed to unhealthy conditions.
What misconceptions do facility operators often have about pool systems or water management?
One of the biggest misconceptions involves indoor facilities. Water quality is extremely important, but indoor air quality may be even more critical. Whenever organics from swimmers mix with chlorine, trichloramines are released into the air. These gases can make breathing difficult, cause eye irritation and contribute to long-term health concerns. Trichloramines are also responsible for many maintenance problems commonly seen in indoor pools, including corrosion, premature HVAC failure, heater and pump issues, and increased cleaning and repainting requirements.
What differentiates a high-performing aquatics facility from an average one?
It really depends on the type of facility. Municipal facilities need to offer a variety of options, be family-friendly and provide programs that appeal to multiple age groups. Learn-to-swim programs, swim teams and fitness opportunities are important — but so are slides and other fun amenities. Competitive swim facilities require fast pools with wide lanes that can accommodate different course lengths for racing and training, while also supporting activities such as water polo. For indoor facilities, air quality is critical. No one wants to leave a pool smelling strongly of chlorine, with irritated eyes or breathing difficulties. Families will not return to facilities that create unhealthy experiences.
How are budget constraints influencing purchasing decisions in today’s market?
Budget constraints play a major role in purchasing decisions. During the design phase, the focus is often on including amenities and creating an attractive appearance. However, during construction, projects are frequently forced to reduce costs to stay within budget. As a result, long-term cost-saving equipment is often overlooked because of higher upfront expenses. Products such as RMF filtration systems, the Evacuator, stainless steel gutters and stainless steel main drains help reduce maintenance costs, save energy and provide longer service life compared to less expensive alternatives.
What does the future look like for the aquatics industry?
The aquatics industry has a strong future. Water will always be an important part of recreation, fitness and competition. The industry continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves. We are excited to continue growing, innovating and developing alongside the swimmers and families who enjoy the adventure, competition and learning experiences provided by aquatics facilities around the world.
