Community recreation centers hold the key to a number of benefits that can enhance the quality of life in your community. Regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or socioeconomic status, there are valuable programs at your local rec center for little to no cost.

Whether it’s fitness classes, hula dancing, afterschool programs, or job training, there’s something for everyone. However, to realize the great value of a community recreation center, a great investment must be made.

An investment of time, human, and financial resources. With many pressing needs faced by city leaders throughout the United States, it can be hard to make parks and recreation departments a priority. However, the benefits of doing so are far-reaching.

Using a new 50,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose building surrounded by baseball and football fields, on an existing 50 acre State-owned site with 10 acres of parking that will be designed by architects once all data that identifies the needs of the community are selected. 57 categories of interests have been identified for various programs to strengthen the community.

So that resources are used more effectively, all in one convenient place,

So that is it easier to connect with fellow community members,

So that the safety and well-being of children is improved,

So that the quality of life is improved for all.

Stay Healthy Longer

Community recreation centers offer many programs that benefit both the body and mind. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly have lower blood pressure, delayed onset of diabetes, lower heart disease rates, and overall increased longevity. Exercise also helps increase white blood cells and aids in strengthening your immune system.

The health benefits of recreation centers extend to children as well. According to the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), children who live close to multiple recreation centers were more physically active and less likely to be obese than children that did not have access to recreation centers.

Reduce Stress

The benefits of sports complexes not only help the body, but they also create a less-stressed mind. Stress greatly affects the community at large, and studies conducted in both the United States and Australia have found that people who participate in recreational activities are more resilient to stress and experience better mental health.

Recreation has a positive impact on happiness as well. A study in the Journal of Happiness Studies examined the results of over 23 studies dating back to 1980. The studies included over 500,000 people found that there were correlations between happiness and exercise.

Benefits to Families

Couples and families that play together tend to stay together. Family ties are improved by spending leisure time with each other. Recreation centers like the ones in Madison, WI, one of the nation’s best park systems, host family fun nights that provide activities including art projects and a bounce house.

Recreation centers also present opportunities for parents to model good health for their children. Research from the University of Cambridge indicates that for every minute of physical activity a mother engages in, her child is more likely to perform 10 percent more of that activity.

Reduce Crime Rates with Children

A critical benefit of community recreation centers is their impact on juvenile crime. According to a report by the NRPA, adolescences who don’t participate in afterschool activities are 27 percent more likely to be arrested. Drug use is 49 percent more likely among this group.

Recreation Centers Increase Property Value

Recreation centers as part of a park system are a driver of property value increases. According to a report by the University of Washington, homes within a quarter mile of a park are 10 percent more valuable on average. Recreation centers and parks are often viewed as a symbol of community pride and active recreation centers are chock full of activities that enhance the lives of those living around them.

Keep Your Employees Alert and Around

Employers can realize the power of recreation centers through their role in the health and wellness of employees. A great example of this can be found in Dallas, where their parks and recreation department provide programs such as weight training, yoga, and aerobics classes at a fraction of the cost of a standard gym.

Statistics show that engagement in these programs whether on a company or individual level can be an effective strategy for building a strong and productive workforce. A variety of studies have indicated that employees who exercise regularly used almost half as many absences as employees who did not engage in physical activity. Employees who had actively paid for membership for physical recreation are more alert on the job, faster learners, and perform better in their roles.

Cultural Diversity

We often discuss the “recreation” part of community recreation centers, but rarely emphasize the “community” part of the term. Participating in group activities can help increase cohesion among members of a community. Many community recreation centers have programs that highlight diversity and educate community members.

Boost Your Students’ Performance

Recreation center programs can be a critical part of increasing the likelihood of achievement for students. A variety of studies indicate this, including ones done by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and The After-School Corporation, among others. After school programs can have positive impacts on classroom behavior, test scores, and reading and math achievement. After school programs have also been shown to enhance experiential learning.

Child Care

Many sports complexes have included areas for after school childcare to keep kids out of an empty home while the parents are working. This time period, roughly between 3-6 pm, is a peak time for juvenile crime. According to a study by the YMCA of USA, teens who do not participate in after school programs are three times more likely to skip classes, experiment with drugs and alcohol, and be sexually active.

Additionally, recreation and sports facilities offer summer programs that can help further physical and mental growth in kids, which can benefit families tremendously.

Public Safety

Among the great of programs that offered at recreation centers throughout the country, ones that promote safety including CPR and first aid classes are among the most important. Many recreation centers offer swimming lessons for both children and adults at little cost along with classes on water safety. Additionally, recreation centers provide a meeting space for community members to discuss important issues such as crime prevention and disaster preparation.

Tourism

Sports facilities, associated with larger recreation centers, can hold sports tournaments that can bring people from neighboring states. These visitors can help bring more revenue into a city a few times a year. Over time, these revenue increases have a tremendous impact on the economy of a community.

Throughout this article we’ve described a variety of benefits that can be realized with the presence of a recreation center in your community. However, these benefits can only be realized with a commitment from the community.

La'ie is unique in the world because it is known as a Spiritual Center, Learning Center and Cultural Center.

One component that could be added is a 'Sustainability/Historical/Peace/Fitness Center' with the addition of a unique Recreational and Community Center adapted for Hawaiians and International communities

With this addition, La'ie becomes an even more respected place for having developed 3 (potentially 4) high quality pillars of excellence in a place that was once considered barren and that was almost abandoned.

Source: https://sportadvisory.com/11-benefits-of-a-community-recreation-center/

50+ Categories of Community Interests Hosted at La'ie Recreational & Community Center-Ideas

Aging/Seniors-Banquets, classes, info, Kupuna, storytelling to children, history lessons

Arts and Culture-Gallery, art classes, commission statue of La'ie-JFS prophecy with original Hawaiian families

Awards-Banquets for academics and athletics

Business-Business incubator, entrepreneur showcase, BYUH Business

Capital Funding-Meeting place for new businesses

Children-Day care, A+ after school program, BYUH School of Education, Bright Beginnings

College Scholarship-KHIS Scholar, based on Sterling Scholar

Community Garden-Provide a model garden and master gardeners to help community with their own gardens.

Community Services-Main office of La'ie Community Association

Conflict Resolution-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Coronavirus COVID-19-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Cultural-Room for hula halau, karate, judo, misc dance schools

Disabilities-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Disaster Relief-Emergency preparation, ham radio station, FEMA

Domestic Violence-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Economic Development-Craft and plant fairs, Rural Cooperative Development Centers

Elementary Education-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Environment-showcase and learning center of ancient and modern sustainable practices

Farming/Agriculture-Farmer's market, specialty dessert for circle island guests (i.e. shave ice, dole whip, etc)

Financial Assistance-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Health and Medical-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage, free testing center

Higher Education-Pillars of Hope showcase of BYUH and PCC, Aloha Experiment film, BYUH SWATT team

History-Diorama displays of La'ie, Temple, BYUH, PCC, pioneers, ag land, touch screen films

HIV/AIDS-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage, free testing center

Homeland & National Security-Shared office, communications, mini-police station, ham radio/internet, civil defense

Homeless-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Housing-Shared office, demonstration of portable low-income housing

Individual-Scholarships

International-Foreign student exchange info center, tourist stop (part of La'ie tour), East West Center

Justice & Juvenile Justice-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Literacy & Libraries-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Mental Health-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Minorities-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Municipalities-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Nonprofit Support Services-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage, write grants for the community

Nutrition-Part of farmer's market, lectures by hospitals, provide a place for banquets/lu'aus

Other-Media Center such as Searider Foundation, David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Peacebuilding

Pets/Animal/Wildlife-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Preschool-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage, small bike path, hands-on learning center

Preservation-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage, bring old La'ie back to life with displays, recordings

Quality of Life-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Research & Evaluation-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Science-Dr. Baize's Science and Math Academy

Secondary Education-BYUH/KHIS Liaison, Job Shadowing, Mock Interviews, Apprenticeships

Small Business-Incubator, shared office

Special Education-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage, hosting apprenticeships

Sports & Recreation-Basketball, volleyball courts, baseball, ocean activity rentals, apparel

Students-Life Skills, Career Pathways

Substance Abuse-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Teachers-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Technology-Internet cafe, computer repair station, potential Searider Foundation Studio, Oceanic Community TV

Transportation-Bus stop, Tourist Motorcoach and van stop for tourists

Travel & Tourism-Bus stop for tourists, showcase history of community, Hukilau Lu'au - Roots of PCC

Veterans-Internet cafe, shared office, use of bulletin boards/digital signage

Women-Shared office and/or bulletin boards/digital signage

Workforce-Internet cafe

Youth/Out-of-School Youth-Internet cafe, free computers for Ko'olauloa students

• 50 acres of available state land

• 10 acres of existing parking

• lighting for evening sports

• soccer/rugby/football field track

• volleyball court

• baseball field

• 20 offices

• banquet facility/outdoor lu'au facility

• classrooms

• 12 offices

• conference rooms

• restrooms

• library

• merrie monarch sized stage

• tennis court

• locally made crafts

• business incubator

• mini city and county satellite?

• kiosk for renewing vehicle registration

• diorama displays showing history, art, culture of La'ie

• huge aquaponics system

• biggest assortment of native, endangered and rare Hawaiian plants

• Hawaiian language learning center and library

• Learning area for pre-school children

• Host for virtual meetings

• Hub for shared van rides