Case Studies on Successful Sports Facilities

Sports facility management can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. The endless admin, constantly juggling sports schedules in different calendars, and the pressure to keep everything running smoothly - it’s enough to overwhelm anyone. 

Don’t let these challenges scare you off. 

There are facilities out there that have turned these struggles into success stories, finding smarter ways to operate and achieving results they never thought possible. 

How did they do it? 

With the right strategies and tools like SportsKey, they managed to streamline their operations, save 10 hours per week and increase revenue by at least 30%.

In this article, we’ll explore real-world case studies from two outstanding institutions - Lake Forest Academy and Connecticut College. These facilities faced unique challenges, but with the help of SportsKey, they transformed their operations and achieved remarkable results. 

Lake Forest Academy: A 200% Revenue Increase Through Streamlined Operations

Lake Forest Academy, a prestigious boarding school in Illinois, primarily relied on Google Calendar to manage the scheduling of its sports facilities.

While Google Calendar is useful for many businesses, it wasn’t designed to handle the complexities of managing multiple bookings across various spaces. This approach led to inefficiencies, double bookings, and underutilized spaces, all of which hindered the school’s ability to provide the exceptional experiences they aimed for.

The Challenge

Using Google Calendar as a booking system created operational bottlenecks. Staff were spending too much time manually managing schedules, which took away from enhancing student experiences. The limitations of this system meant that potential revenue opportunities from external bookings were often missed.

The Solution

To address these issues, Lake Forest Academy turned to SportsKey to modernize its booking process. SportsKey’s intuitive sports facility management platform provides automated, real-time bookings, eliminating the risk of double bookings. 

“It has made scheduling thousands of  times easier! “

The system’s ease of use allowed both staff and students to reserve spaces with just a few clicks, while staff could manage all bookings efficiently from a centralized dashboard.

The Outcome

Lake Forest Academy experienced a staggering 200% increase in revenue from its sports facilities, driven by the ability to efficiently manage and optimize bookings. 

The streamlined process not only saved time but also greatly improved the overall experience for both students and staff, enabling the academy to focus on delivering top-notch athletic programs.

Button: Read the full case study now 

Connecticut College: Managing 20 Teams and Boosting Community Engagement

Connecticut College, known for its vibrant campus life and strong athletic programs, faced the significant challenge of managing 20 sports teams across 12-14 different facilities. The college initially relied on Google Calendar for scheduling, but this approach led to frequent conflicts and inefficiencies. 

The college needed a sports facility management system that could handle the complexities of scheduling these teams while streamlining invoicing alongside bookings, all within one platform.

The Challenge

Connecticut College was relying on a system that was not equipped to manage the scheduling demands of its teams across multiple sports facilities. 

The complexity of coordinating these teams, along with the desire to open up the facilities to the broader community, led to frequent scheduling conflicts and underutilized spaces. 

The college recognized that they needed a more efficient solution to streamline operations and improve facility management.

The Solution

Connecticut College implemented SportsKey to manage its sports facilities more effectively. 

SportsKey’s platform provided automated scheduling across all 12-14 facilities, reducing conflicts and ensuring optimal usage. 

The real-time updates and availability checks ensured that scheduling conflicts were minimized, and the user-friendly interface made it simple for both internal teams and external community members to book facilities.

The Outcome

With SportsKey, Connecticut College successfully managed the complex needs of 20 teams, greatly reducing scheduling issues and improving the efficiency of their operations. 

“It’s so much easier to take external bookings in one specific software and this is helping us reach our goal of increasing revenue from external rentals” 

“SportsKey gives us a streamlined approach to facilities scheduling. Now everyone can book directly, there’s no time wasting back and forth with emails”.

- Liz Cohn, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing & Events 

The integrated invoicing system streamlined financial management, making it easier to track and manage payments. This comprehensive approach allowed the college to increase external bookings while saving time on admin. 

Button: Read the full success story

Key Takeaways from These Success Stories

These case studies highlight the tangible benefits of effective sports facility management. From increasing revenue to improving user satisfaction, the right tools can make all the difference. 

SportsKey has proven to be an invaluable asset for these institutions, helping them streamline operations, enhance user experiences, and maximize their facilities’ potential.

What can you learn from these success stories?

1. Efficiency Drives Results

Streamlining operations through automation and real-time updates not only saves time but also enhances user satisfaction and optimizes facility usage.

1. Revenue Opportunities

Efficient management systems like SportsKey help maximize the potential of sports facilities, turning previously missed opportunities into substantial revenue gains.

1. Community Engagement Matters

Making facilities accessible and easy to book for the local community strengthens relationships and opens up new avenues for revenue.

Ready to Transform Your Sports Facility?

Inspired by these success stories? It might be time to see how SportsKey can help you achieve similar results. Whether you’re looking to increase revenue, streamline operations, or enhance user satisfaction, SportsKey provides the tools you need to succeed. Get in touch with SportsKey today and discover how we can support your facility’s growth and success.

FAQs

1. What is the importance of sports facilities?

Sports facilities are vital for promoting physical health, offering spaces for both recreational and competitive activities, and fostering community engagement. They serve as important hubs for social interaction and can enhance the overall well-being of individuals and communities.

2. What is the impact of building a sports facility on the local economy?

Building a sports facility can have a positive impact on the local economy by creating jobs, attracting visitors, and stimulating spending in nearby businesses. Additionally, a well-managed facility can increase property values and encourage further investment in the area, contributing to long-term economic growth.

3. What are five key steps in the planning and design of sports facilities?

When planning and designing sports facilities, it’s important to:

1. Assess user needs: Understand who will be using the facility and what activities it will support.

2. Choose the right location: Select a site that is accessible and meets the needs of the community.

3. Design for flexibility: Create spaces that can accommodate a range of activities and future growth.

4. Integrate modern technology: Ensure the facility is equipped with up-to-date booking and management systems.

5. Develop a comprehensive budget: Plan your finances carefully and explore various funding options to ensure the project is sustainable.