Why Interest in Private Recreation Spaces is on the Rise

With less and less time for leisure activities and personal interests, people are apt to make the most of the precious handful of hours in their week to get out and get active. For many, this has meant more focus on the experience itself. The space, the company, the amenities–it all makes the experience (for better or for worse). Many have turned to private recreation spaces, where they can practice and play on their own terms. Indeed, interest in and demand for private access to golf simulators (and other sports simulators), pickleball courts, yoga studios, and other recreation spaces is on the rise. Here’s why. 

Convenience & Time-Savings 

Convenience (or lack of) can be a huge deterrent for participating in sports and activities–even the ones we love. A study reported on by Men’s Health noted a correlation between distance to the gym and frequency with which respondents worked out; not surprisingly, the closer people lived to their gym, the more frequently they reported working out. When people don’t live close to the type of facility they want to use with the type of equipment and technology they need, they have to factor in inconveniences like drive time and traffic. These can add up quickly, making it difficult to justify a practice session or lesson over the lunch hour or after work. 

Another study published by the National Library of Medicine found that people are willing to travel to participate in some activities, but proximity to destinations and types of activities can encourage their use of certain places over others, directly correlating to participation. When it comes to recreational activities and pastimes, most people prefer to be within 15 minutes of the places where they expect to engage in activities. 

The bottom line? Convenience is important, and whether players are squeezing in a quick lesson or playing in a golf simulator league with colleagues, having convenient access to a place to do it is very important. 

Most people prefer to be within 15 minutes of the places where they expect to engage in activities. 

Availability Issues

Availability and booking conundrums are also driving demand for private spaces. In fact, interest in a number of sports and activities has risen sharply in the last couple years, limiting access to spaces and equipment. Simply stated: places are packed, especially during peak times like evenings and weekends. Many courts, gyms, schools, and community centers with facilities open to the public are available on a first-come-first-served basis. This inability for community members to schedule time to use a space is especially frustrating for players who are coordinating lessons, practice sessions, camps and clinics, and leagues, but can’t count on a space being available. Outdated or nonexistent scheduling systems make facilities unreliable and not worth the hassle. At the same time, private facilities that do accept bookings for teams or individuals can be incredibly expensive–requiring membership dues and other qualifications.  

Spaces that are listed online and accept bookings in real-time end up with a huge advantage. Whether the space is at a residential location or in a public facility like a recreation or community center, hosts can offer private recreation experiences to teams and individuals in a convenient, no-hassle way by simply making them easy to find and book. 

Lessons, Coaching & Tune-Ups

The issue of limited availability during peak times and the inability to guarantee the reservation of a space has an even more substantial impact on coaches running lessons businesses, clinics, and camps. Coaches must factor in costs like drive-time, parking, and availability. When it comes to whether the space will actually be available when they get there, leaving that up to chance can cause serious issues. In the winter and rainy seasons, where inclement weather is a factor, this becomes even more difficult, with indoor spaces in even higher demand. What’s more, coaches in need of specific equipment or technology are even more limited by the spaces they have access to. It all adds up to a need for safe, reliable, private spaces that can be seamlessly reserved and utilized on a regular basis. 

Premium Spaces, Technology & Equipment 

Sometimes players have unique needs when it comes to technology and equipment. These needs influence where they practice and play. Some are looking for unique or higher-end technology, such as launch monitors that can capture and quantify key metrics, devices that can record of playback their form, or mats that can track where and how their weight shifts. In tabletop and role-playing gaming spaces (RPG spaces), technology is less about metrics tracking and coaching feedback and more about enhancing the overall experience. These spaces might include ambient lighting, immersive digital tabletop surfaces, and other amenities.

Opportunities to Learn  

For many, private spaces provide a way to take up a new hobby or participate as a beginner without fear of judgment or embarrassment. This is especially crucial for difficult activities and those with high barriers to entry and steep learning curves or exclusive cultures. Take golf, for example: As reported by the National Golf Foundation, 25% of on-course golfers are women; at the same time, females represent a disproportionately higher percentage of beginners (41%), juniors (37%), and off-course participants (41%) than they do in the overall golf population. The ability to learn in a private, off-course space gives novice players a way to sharpen their skills before taking to the course. At the same time, the opportunity to practice at short, more consistent intervals in a private space can be especially helpful for beginners. 

Players Want Privacy 

As it turns out, privacy is a driving factor for a number of players. Not only is it crucial for those taking or giving lessons and beginners picking up a new hobby, privacy can also be of value for players recovering from injuries, interested in playing with specific peers, and those holding camps and clinics. 

The ability to reserve private spaces on demand is something players are willing to pay for. It’s a more individual experience, a more comfortable session, and overall more enjoyable. 

Meeting Market Needs

With so much demand for private spaces of all types, owners have a unique opportunity to monetize their spaces. Indeed, many go unused because there is simply no easy way for players to find and book them.

RecDay solves that problem, helping owners and operators of facilities of all types rent their spaces online in an easy, secure, and streamlined way. The result? Players enjoy experiences that meet and exceed their expectations and hosts maximize earnings from the spaces, equipment, and experiences they offer.

Interested in learning more about listing your space on RecDay? Get in touch with our Customer Success team, or get started on your listing.