Trends in Technology
by Jill Bartholomew, CLP Is your agency technology friendly? Do you have a "home page," an integrated access control system, automated turnstiles or tele-ticket telephone reservation system in place? If not, then read on. During this past year several park and recreation agencies have built new facilities to serve the public. Among these are new recreation community centers, pools (both indoor and outdoor), and fitness/wellness centers. Many professionals and boards are familiar with the architecture of such facilities, the headaches of construction, and the ADA rules which must be followed. But what are the new technologies that these facilities are putting into place? And how advanced are we? Today's technology will be updated by tomorrow, so how arc we investing our money? We posed these questions to agencies that have built facilities within the last year. In addition to the "newness" factor, we looked for different types of facilities including aquatic centers, fitness clubs, wellness centers and general leisure facilities. Individuals interviewed gave similar answers to how the technologies had been evaluated for inclusion in each new facility. For example, staffs toured public and private facilities with similar features to the facility they were planning to build. Extensive discussions were held with architects, staff and board members from each agency. Surveys and public meetings were held within their respective communities. One district held several focus groups and one formed a special ad hoc committee to review the entire process from inception to completion. In all cases, the professional staff and board members did their homework, and no agency took chances. Ray Ochromowicz, the director of the Bolingbrook Park District, said his commissioners gave the direction to have their new facility "cutting edge, not bleeding edge." In other words, if there was proven new technology that was more efficient and effective, that allowed staff members to have more information and better serve the public, then the investment was made. The board was not willing to purchase new technology and be a guinea pig. Following is a look at the new technologies incorporated in some of the park and recreation field's newest facilities.
Bolingbrook Park District The ID card is scanned at a turnstile for entry to the pool. The turnstile allows quick, efficient access for pool members, with no waiting and no long lines. Swimmers just scan and enter. The computer system connected to the turnstile tracks attendance, names and times of entries—saving staff time, giving members entry priority, and providing staff with solid statistics for future planning and marketing. Statistics the agency once gathered by hand are now tallied and printed out by computer. The district still has a service desk attendant to accept cash, but members can now easily enter the facilities. The district took on this computer change at the same time that the new facility was built, which meant many phases of the project came together at the same time. Personnel are pleased with all phases of their new technology. The board and staff felt Illinois Parks & Recreation • September/0ctober 1996 • 27 as long as everything was being built new, all new systems should be put into place at the same time. It has worked for Bolingbrook, and all systems are a "go."
North Richland Hills Park and Recreation For example, mom brings Kim to the pool and pays $20. Kim is issued a wristband. When she is hungry, she goes to the concession stand. She orders and her wristband, after being scanned, deducts the price of a hot dog ($1.25), a 12-ounce soft drink ($.75), and chips ($.80) from her account. Later in the day Kim rents a tube for $2, and the sum is deducted from her account by scanning her wristband. At the end of the day Kim brings her wristband home and finds that she still has $15.20 on her account for the next visit. No refunds are issued at the end of a season. Mom didn't have to give Kim money, and Kim was able to purchase what she wished during each visit to the pool. Meanwhile, the supervisor sitting in his office across town can log onto the computer and find out attendance totals, attendance on the hour, how many food items were sold at what hour, and the percentage of sales. The possible marketing specials, target times, coupon offers, can then be carefully calculated, and all of the data is available at the touch of a button.
Skokie Park District The second new technology a "cardio theater," installed in the fitness room. The cardio theater allows people who are exercising to bring their own headphones and plug them into the fitness equipment. Patrons can then tune into a channel on the radio or a cassette tape or compact disc that they've given to the front desk. Televisions are also mounted for private listening pleasure. All one has to do is just tune in the station and watch the show of choice.
Homewood-Flossmoor Park District The H-F staff inserts the appropriate software into the machine, and the participant then begins to pedal or climb. On the screen appears a town. As the person pedals or climbs the scenery changes. One can choose to ride the mountain bike trail, travel through the woods, or even ride into the stream. The cardiac exercise equipment adjusts with the rider. As a bonus, the user hears sound effects through the headsets (school bells ring, birds sing, and water splashes). There are a variety of software options which can be purchased, giving the workout a selection of venues. While many agencies have voice mail, its use is critical to its success. An agency policy should exist for proper usage. For example, the policy should mandate that all voice messages must be returned on the same day. Homewood-Flossmoor requires that a "live person" always answers the phone first. If it is necessary to transfer the call, the customer will be asked if they would like to leave a voice mail message. For H-F's Racquet & Fitness Club, voice mail boxes were established for all staff and 20 for the tennis pros. This saves the service desk from handwriting all the messages about lessons and times. People can choose to leave a voice message for their tennis pro. Voice mail messages can be called and checked by staff from any site at any time. The system is only effective if messages are answered. Proper responses are expected by staff at all times. These are just a few examples of ways we can use new technologies to improve our park and recreation services and facilities and reach new audiences. What about couch potatoes? How do we reach those surfing their television screens? Perhaps your cable station is the answer. List your agency phone number or web site number. Produce a brief commercial on how to fill out your agency registration form. Do you have 24-hour registration by phone? Everyone has a phone. Some talk to us, some only record messages, some have a small message board, some tell us who is calling before we answer. Phones can be carried in a pocket, on a necklace, or a belt. We can be beeped, vibrated, recorded, tracked down everywhere. What public service! About ten Illinois agencies have their own web sites on the Internet. Elmhurst Park District has the most options listed. On the Elmhurst web site one can see the district's brochure (cover to cover), register for a class, or even play a game of virtual reality golf. The Chicago Park District Harborside Golf Club has special golf carts. Line your cart up with the tee and the small computer screen will measure the distance from the tee to the cup. Recreational facilities and services are taking on a whole new dimension with new technologies. If we choose wisely, the benefits will be great. Jill Bartholomew, CLP, is the superintendent of recreation for the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District and a member of the IPRA Facility Management Section. 28 • Illinois Parks & Recreation • September/October 1996
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