Paying for social value: impacts not opening hours

ABSTRACT

This article explains how local government aquatic and recreation facilities can stay viable through and beyond COVID-19. It first highlights some less documented impacts of the forced closure of aquatic, fitness and recreation facilities, including on the engagement of older people and those from the most deprived areas, as well as the health and wellbeing (social value) cost to local communities and government. The article then discusses how SportsEye Network can help venue operators to use market insight and predictive modelling to make evidence-based decisions and connect with government to share this evidence and the impacts.