Graduate Research Papers

Availability

Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

The cost of running and financing municipal aquatic facilities has grown in recent years due to increased maintenance, capital expenditures and required facility upgrades. The purpose of this research was to assess the funding and finance mechanisms for public aquatic facilities in the state of Iowa. The results are based on research of twelve municipalities with populations under 10,000 individuals with an operating budget under $500,000. Information was developed from data form off websites and personal interviews with the personnel in charge of financial decisions within the aquatic facility. The researcher reviewed the programming for each municipality including American Red Cross / Learn-to-Swim lessons. Other specialty classes that are offered were reviewed with regard to community needs and the generated income. In addition, season passes, including family, single, child, senior and daily lap passes beyond daily admissions were reviewed.

The researcher found that municipal aquatic facilities, due to the short operating season and increased costs of upgrading facilities need to be subsidized. The necessary upgrades to comply with new laws and standards take additional funds away from a budget in deficit. These additional costs have placed public officials in a precarious position to make the decision to further subsidize an aging municipal aquatic facility, upgrade to a new facility, or close the program permanently. Increasing the programming to maximize the facility to its fullest monetary potential is always an ideal situation, and contributes to the social capital of the community.

Year of Submission

2015

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Division of Leisure, Youth and Human Services

First Advisor

Kathleen Scholl

Comments

If you are the rightful copyright holder of this graduate research paper and wish to have it removed from the Open Access Collection, please submit an email request to scholarworks@uni.edu. Include your name and clearly identify the thesis by full title and author as shown on the work.

Date Original

12-2015

Object Description

1 PDF (v, 176 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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