Recreation facility management is a complex responsibility. Professionals in this field are responsible for various types of facilities—recreation centers, water parks and pools, playgrounds, parks, fitness centers, sport complexes, and resorts—each with its own set of goals and challenges. Recreation Facility Management: Design, Development, Operations, and Utilization provides students and new professionals with a basic understanding of recreation facilities and prepares them to perform the duties required of a recreation facility manager.

Part I of Recreation Facility Management offers a detailed look at the foundations of the profession, including the defining characteristics of recreation facility management and descriptions of the duties of a recreation facility manager and the areas within the facilities. Also featured are descriptions of the common indoor and outdoor elements of facilities, including sites, spaces, lighting, surfaces, utilities, landscaping, walkways, and parking areas.

The remaining parts of the book detail the practical knowledge and skills as well as tasks and processes required for managing various types of recreation facilities. Readers will find these features:

• A thorough discussion of the facility design and development process, including needs assessment, planning, reading blueprints, funding, the bid process, and construction
• Information on managing facility resources, including equipment; financial issues, such as budgeting, taxes, fees and charges, and donations; and human resources, including hiring, training, and evaluating employees
• A detailed examination of facility utilization, including safety and security, scheduling, maintenance, and emergencies and emergency response
• A review of parks, playgrounds, aquatic facilities, and ancillary spaces, including parking areas, showers and restrooms, and child care areas
• Coverage of national industry standards and guidelines for various types of facilities

Throughout the book readers will find examples from settings in recreation, leisure, parks, and tourism that will help them apply their knowledge to various types of recreation facilities. Recreation Facility Management also includes access to an online student resource (OSR) that will help students tie the information in the book to practical matters on the job. The OSR contains learning activities, forms from the files of actual facility managers, worksheets, and Web links to help students further explore the ideas found in the book.

Recreation Facility Management offers a practical introduction to facility design, management, and maintenance for practicing or future recreation professionals. This resource provides the knowledge and skills necessary for becoming a successful facility manager in any recreation setting.