SECTORS

SPORTS & RECREATION

Recreation and leisure facilities and activities have traditionally been the domain of local governments and not-for-profit agencies and groups. Increasingly private sector participants have taken a greater interest in this area. On the government side, recreation and leisure facilities can be said to represent basic social infrastructure - citizens pay taxes and in return expect facilities and activities. Arguably, recreation facilities and activities are significant factors in creating quality of life thus making communities more attractive from an economic development standpoint. However, the parallel problems of government cut-backs and ever increasing capital and operating costs, are putting tremendous financial pressures on local government to fully satisfy both the level and type of recreational services that their citizens demand.

• > How does government maintain and increase service levels without increasing financial consequences?
• > How can the needs and wants of citizens (size, scope and type of facilities) be addressed in a world of reduced financial resources?
• > How can operational deficiencies be identified?
• > How can capital be raised to construct new and/or renovate existing facilities?

HLT has addressed these issues in numerous assignments for both public and private sector clients in various municipalities across Canada and in the United States.