chapter 18 Ancillary Spaces Overview Facilities are supported

chapter 18 Ancillary Spaces

Overview • Facilities are supported by ancillary spaces, areas that support the core product. • In most facilities, the core product could not be made available to users were it not for the supporting ancillary areas. • Ancillary areas do not exist as sources of revenue; the spaces that support the core product and generate revenue are called core product extensions.

Parking • Fundamental to almost all recreation facilities is the availability of parking for users and employees. • As an ancillary area, parking provides users and employees with a place to leave their vehicle and can prove to be a valuable convenience. Inadequate parking facilities can have a negative impact on the use and revenue generation of a recreation facility.

Parking Options • Three types of parking options are typically offered at recreation facilities: – Self-parking – Gated parking – Valet parking • The nature of the core product typically determines which parking option will be used and to what extent.

Parking Operations • It is generally understood that recreation facilities should provide some form of parking as part of the facility or at least nearby. • Usually, community-planning agencies require facilities to provide on-site parking to prevent congestion and overflow on local streets. • The efficiency of a parking area projects a message about the management of the facility. • This can be reflected in parking access, signage, maintenance, and security.

Maintenance • There are three major considerations when it comes to the maintenance of a parking area. – 1. Attend to structural needs of the parking facility as required. This requires management to respond to harsh conditions, extreme weather, vehicle weight, and general wear and tear on the parking area. – 2. Keep up with the daily maintenance functions required to keep a parking facility in working order. These tasks include ensuring that the surface is in good shape, parking lines and signage are visible, and meters and gates are operational. – 3. Attend to the appearance of the parking area by keeping the area clean and attractive.

Security • Parking operators need to be concerned for the safety of users and prevention of vehicle theft and damage. • Special attention is required to provide complete protection of vehicles and personal property. • Courts could hold an agency liable for damage and criminal acts if adequate security is not provided. • A key factor in parking security is the provision of proper lighting.

Parking Design • It is vital that time and effort be devoted to the design of the parking area during the planning phase of parking operations. • A variety of details must be considered in parking design, including shape, angles, codes and ordinances, space size and number of spaces, sidewalks, landscaping, and drainage.

Perimeter Parking Options • Generally, parking areas should be located in close proximity to the facility. • Typically, users do not want to walk far to access a facility. • In instances where there is inadequate space or an event where a large number of vehicles need to park, management should provide perimeter parking options, which require a longer walk or even a shuttle service to and from the facility.

Sidewalks • Sidewalks are essential for safety, especially with large parking lots. • Sidewalks should be distinguished from the roadway and parking areas and should be raised 3 to 6 inches (8 -15 centimeters). • In situations where sidewalks are not raised, they should be properly painted, placing adequate emphasis on them for easy visibility, especially in crosswalks.

Landscaping: Shading, Screening, and Buffer Zones • Landscaping greatly contributes to the appearance of a parking area and can even increase property value. • Landscape design can also help control traffic and increase safety in a parking area. • Vegetation is also useful in screening neighboring areas and creating buffer zones from the parking area.

Drainage • It is important that parking areas have proper drainage to prevent pooling and flooding from rainwater. • The parking area should have a flat surface with a slight slope (1 -4 percent) to allow for water runoff. The slope should be minimal and not create a hazard for users.

Reception Area • A reception area is an ancillary area that can be vital to recreation facility usage and product success. • The reception area represents an extension of the administration and delivery operations, creating initial contact with customers and providing a first impression of the facility. • A reception area should establish a comfortable, non-congested, and non-confusing atmosphere that helps users gain access to the product.

Initial Appearance • An aesthetically pleasing reception area creates a favorable first impression by being well maintained and organized. • A positive image projected by the reception area can recruit new users and help maintain repeat use from current users.

Efficiency • The efficiency of a reception area may be more important than its appearance. • Efficiency refers to how well the staff communicates with users. • A knowledgeable staff that is properly trained and understands organization procedures is vital in order to maintain consistency at the front desk and share correct information with users.

Attitude • Attitude of reception desk staff is equally as important as the appearance of the reception area. • Guests should feel as though staff members are friendly and helpful. • A smile and a warm greeting go a long way in making users feel welcome.

Functions of Reception • The reception area may serve a variety of functions depending on the facility. • Reception commonalities include: – – – Access control Fee collection Information and Communication Schedules Other functions

Contributing Areas • Reception areas vary in function, size, and location from facility to facility. • Several areas contribute to the reception area. These areas may include: – – Lobby Administration offices Showcases Child care area

Reception Area Design • Recreation facility managers should be aware of the importance of a reception area and how its design enhances the functionality of the facility. • Most important in the design of the reception area is its location, especially if the area is intended to perform numerous functions. • Reception areas should be in the center of activity so that users can easily identify it.

Locker and Shower Area • As an ancillary space, locker and shower areas could be a support service that is a key to the success of the core product. • Locker and shower areas are usually a service provided to users and employees. • They require specialized knowledge and attention to detail that should not be taken for granted.

Functions of Locker and Shower Areas • Certain locker and shower functions are compared with other areas of a recreation facility. • This space should be secure, private, and where necessary, supervised to protect the users. • Many of the following locker and shower functions will vary from facility to facility. (continued)

Functions of Locker and Shower Areas (continued) • These functions are fundamental to the provision of locker and shower areas: – – – – Hygiene Grooming Lockers Therapy Showers Restroom areas Information and communication

Locker and Shower Area Design • Each subarea of a locker and shower area has unique needs in terms of its function. • These factors should be addressed in the design phase of a facility project. • Proper circulation of the areas and user safety should be a primary consideration in the overall design. (continued)

Locker and Shower Area Design (continued) • The activities of a locker and shower area, by their nature, create odors, humidity, and other by-products, so ventilation is also critical. • Appropriate ventilation should be maintained at all times with regulated temperature and humidity checks to prevent odor and moisture containment. (continued)

Locker and Shower Area Design (continued) • The surfaces in a locker and shower area are also important for maintenance and safety. • Showers can create wet surfaces that are hazardous for walking. • Where wet conditions exist, slip-resistant surfaces should be incorporated. • Management must be particularly sensitive to floor surfaces in this area because they can be a liability if not designed and maintained properly. (continued)

Locker and Shower Area Design (continued) • Security needs should be a top priority in locker and shower areas since users will be storing personal belongings, showering, and changing. • Valuable belongings are often stored in lockers, so security measures should be implemented to minimize theft. • Locker areas should be designed to have open sight lines and provide easy angles for observation from facility staff to help minimize inappropriate activities.