The opening of a new sports complex or recreation center begins long before the first shovel hits the ground. From vendor/supplier selection and staff recruitment and training to software, bookkeeping structure, marketing and branding, and sports facility development; the pre-opening process is a once-in-a-lifetime event and it is not the time for “on the job” learning. That’s why experienced and first-time developers engage Sports Facilities Advisory and Sports Facilities Management to oversee the opening process.

We begin the sports complex opening process with a planning summit meeting. Here we develop a date-driven timeline of action steps and projects. These projects can include the following facility planning tasks: Site preparation, zoning/permitting and construction, vendor selection, brand development, pre-opening marketing, pre-opening staffing, staff training, program development, registration software and bookkeeping systems, as well as banking, communications, operations systems, safety and risk management, and other critical systems. Each of these projects must be executed well to provide for an on-time sports complex opening and to achieve the forecasted revenue goals.

The SFA resource library is then leveraged to provide templates, models, contract forms, and “best-in-class” examples for every stage of the opening process. The result is a reduction in effort and work, faster decision-making, access to proven resources, and guidance through critical and often irreversible decisions.