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Smart Ways Community Pools Can Reduce Operating Costs
Operating an aquatic center or community pool comes with significant expenses, from energy and staffing to maintenance. In this article, we’ll review what it costs to build and operate an aquatic center and explore three proven cost-saving hacks for aquatic centers — practical strategies that reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, and keep facilities financially sustainable.
What Does It Cost to Build an Aquatic Center?
When thinking about reducing operating expenses, some may wonder how much it costs to build an aquatic center. Planning an aquatics facility geared towards sports tourism, the model typically includes:
- A competition lap pool
- A leisure or recreational pool
- Splash pad or water play area
Facilities of this scale usually require an investment of $30.7 to $37.5 million, with construction and essential equipment costs averaging $549 to $671 per square foot. It’s important to note that these figures account only for building and outfitting the facility — they do not cover land acquisition or the ongoing operational costs of running it.
What Does It Cost to Operate an Aquatic Center?
“Aquatic facilities are costly to run, and competition for recreation is tougher than ever,” says Evan Eleff, industry expert and managing partner at The Sports Facilities Companies. “Across the country, per-capita spending is down 5–8%, while maintaining attendance now costs about 25% more,” adds Evan.
What Do Aquatic Center Operating Costs Consist Of?
Staffing, maintenance, and energy consumption are among the most significant ongoing expenses for any aquatic center, making long-term financial planning essential.
While these operating costs are unavoidable, aquatic facilities can reduce the burden by partnering with professional management companies that specialize in streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and controlling expenses.
Three Aquatic Facility Cost-Saving Tips
- Ensure You’re Energy Efficient
While “green” may not be the first word that comes to mind with pools, adopting sustainable practices is one of the most effective ways to achieve significant cost savings while building a more environmentally responsible aquatics facility.
Practical steps include:
- Upgrading to LED lighting for lower energy use
- Installing energy-efficient pumps and filtration systems
- Maintaining equipment regularly to prevent costly breakdowns
- Fixing leaks and adding low-flow fixtures to reduce water waste
- Collecting rainwater for supplemental use
- Improving water testing and using UV or ozone treatments to cut chemical costs
By incorporating these sustainable practices, aquatic facilities can boost efficiency, save money, and enhance their reputation for environmental responsibility.
- Manage Maintenance and Chemicals
Managing maintenance and chemical costs is one of the most effective ways aquatic centers can save money and extend the life of their facilities. Simple, consistent practices not only improve efficiency but also reduce unnecessary expenses.
Key strategies include:
- Maintain proper water balance to avoid chemical overuse, wasted supplies, and equipment damage.
- Backwash only when needed, since excessive backwashing wastes water and drives up utility costs.
- Check for leaks regularly and repair promptly to prevent water loss and added chemical expenses.
- Clean skimmer baskets and strainers to protect pumps from debris and improve overall system efficiency.
- Shop around for supplies and services, comparing providers for the best prices, bulk discounts, or seasonal sales.
- Install thermal covers to reduce heating costs for outdoor pools
By following these maintenance and chemical management best practices, aquatic facilities can significantly reduce operating costs while ensuring safer, more sustainable pool operations.
- Hire a Third-Party Aquatics Operations & Management Provider
Running a thriving aquatics center means more than just keeping the pool clean — it requires expert aquatics management solutions that boost safety, improve programming, and maximize revenue.
When you team up with an aquatics operations and management provider, you can rest assured that all the essentials are taken care of, such as:
- Lifeguard staffing and training
- Creative community-driven program development, such as swim lessons, camps, senior fitness, etc.
- Safety accreditation
- Revenue optimization
If you want to reduce your facility’s subsidy, strengthen guest experience, and ensure long-term financial sustainability for your aquatic center, contact us today to learn how we can tailor a management plan that meets your goals.
