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USF RECREATIONAL FACILITY
FEASIBILITY REPORT
By: Sasha Judge, Mike Affinito, and Giulia Mastrantonio
USF Students
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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
April 1st, 2023
USF Fitness Recreational Director: Jay Souza and USF Fitness Recreational Assistant
Director: Chris Marks
12301 USF Genshaft Dr, Tampa, FL 33617
Hello, Jay Souza and Chris Marks,
I hope this letter finds you well. Today we are writing to you as current students here at USF
with the intention of bringing to light the benefits of upgrading USF Recreational indoor and
outdoor facilities in terms of technology, accessibility, and features. By upgrading USF’s
recreational facilities you will not only provide a better quality of life for current students and
faculty members but also benefit the school in terms of recruitment numbers. This project will go
over the current aspects that USF recreational facilities can improve upon and use evidence from
student surveys and statistics from other universities to prove the benefits of upgrading the
facilities. We also plan to provide multiple recommendations and possible cost-effective
solutions and the best course of action to implement these solutions.
If there are any questions regarding our recommendation plan of action please do not hesitate to
reach out to us.
Sincerely,
Sasha Judge, Mike Affinito, and Giulia Mastrantonio
Students at USF
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Informative Abstract…………………………………………………..4
Background………………………………………………………….…5
Problem/Need……………………………….………………………….6
Decision Criteria………………………….……………………………7
Solutions & Implementation.……………..……..………….…………8
Call to Action………………………………………………….……….13
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Abstract
University recreation and wellness centers are important for the health and happiness of college
students. Here at the University of South Florida, our Department of Fitness has plentiful options
for students to enjoy to maintain their health, although changes could be made to make our
program superior to our Florida State Universities competitors. In this formal report, we will be
suggesting improvements to our recreational centers that would guarantee a positive outcome for
our current and future students. Our current programs are lacking in accessibility to outdoor and
indoor facilities. Examples of this include a lack of saunas, a lack of pickleball courts, a lack of
virtual fitness classes, and a lack of updated technology.
This report will go in-depth through background information, as well as go further into our
problem. In our next sections, we will offer our solutions as well as how we can implement these
solutions with respect to our decision criteria. Our call to action will discuss why our recreational
and fitness directors should care about our problem and why improving our fitness centers would
benefit our students, as well as our university as a whole.
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Background
This report was created to discuss recommendations to the USF Recreational Facility Directors
to highlight the benefits in terms of quality of life for students and existing faculty members as
well as the potential boost in recruitment numbers towards the student body as an effect of
upgrading USF’s indoor and outdoor recreational facilities.
A recent study done by NIRSA- National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association
surveyed 33,500 students from 38 different colleges/universities and showed that 68% of
students reported recruitment influence by what university/college to attend from campus
recreational facilities1. Specifically, our state Florida, is home to some of the best schools in the
nation, some being the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Miami,
and the University of South Florida all of these universities ranked in the top 100 universities in
the nation. According to US News, Florida is officially the best state for higher education2. In
addition to many universities to choose from in Florida academics-wise, the instate government
program: Florida Bright Futures makes staying in-state a lot more common for Florida resident
students. With Florida having so many great academic options for universities it is essential for a
university to keep up with state-of-the-art facilities in terms of recruiting to stand out among the
other great schools that are just a drive away.
1
Ohio University (2018)
https://onlinemasters.ohio.edu/blog/benefits-of-expanding-college-athletic-facilities/
2
U.S News (2020)
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida
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Problem/Need
The University of South Florida is facing the problem of not keeping up with the direct
competition of other Florida State universities' recreational indoor and outdoor facilities. The
facilities are in need of an update to keep up with the demand and needs of the students. To be
specific, USF is lacking in indoor recreational facilities such as saunas, outdoor facilities like
pickleball courts, and updated technological features like smart gym equipment and virtual group
fitness. There is a need for these features to be implemented in USF recreational facilities
because it will benefit USF students and faculty members by increasing recruitment numbers and
benefit the current student body by improving their quality of life. The pie chart below shows the
results from 15 current students who have been asked to indicate their level of satisfaction
regarding the USF recreational department. The majority of the vote claimed they are unsatisfied
with our current recreational programs.
Figure 1: Random sample survey of the level of recreational satisfaction from students at USF
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Decision Criteria:
The criteria that will be most important to our plan include cost, return on investment, and
quality of life. The features that will be most important when discussing the pros of our
recommendation will include return on investment and quality of life. The feature that will be the
most important when analyzing the cons of our recommendation will cost.
- Return on investment: In order to fulfill return on investments, the following criteria
must be implemented in order to see a profit.
- Cost: We will profit from the Campus Recreational Operating funds, as well as accept
donations from donors who want to help our USF recreational improvement.
- Quality of life: Introducing upgrades to facilities in our indoor and outdoor wellness
centers will guarantee an increase in the quality of life for our students.
- Ease of Implementation: This is also dependent on the other criteria, this will be how
easy the schedule will be to implement.
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Solutions & Implementation
Solution 1: Upgrade Indoor Recreational Facilities
USF has three indoor recreation facilities but not one has an indoor sauna or steam room.
Meanwhile, FSU has not one but two saunas that are open to all students. Implementing saunas
to USF indoor recreational facilities can bring huge benefits not only as an outside perspective
for future recruitment but also for the internal benefits that will translate to students already
enrolled. Saunas have been proven to show benefits in skin, weight loss, joint pain, and saunas
have been shown to show signs of reduced stress by helping to relax3. After studying all day for
school, a sauna may be just what a student needs to relax and destress.
Another feature that can be improved upon in the indoor athletic facilities at USF is the noise
level. According to Trustyspotter, a man who surveyed actual students at USF to get their
opinions on these recreational facilities, said the number one comment students gave was about
the noise level being so high it was bothersome.4 A 2019 study conducted at Hadassah College in
Jerusalem found that the average noise level in gyms was 95 decibels.5 Some spinning classes go
over levels of 110 decibels by blaring music. This issue is because experts say continued
exposure to noise over 80 decibels over time will create hearing loss. A way USF can help from
this is by making a point to train trainers to host fitness classes to save noise levels and to make
sure the music playing in the gym is at a safe level by implementing decibel readers in all the
recreational facilities at USF.
Implementation of Solution 1:
There are multiple routes USF could take to implement a sauna in their USF Recreational
Facilities. The two most popular types of saunas are conventional saunas and infrared saunas.
For this paper, we are recommending that USF add infrared saunas. A sauna that would fit 4
people has a footprint as small as 71” x 41 and just needs to be connected to a 120V/20A circuit
to function. There is no need for a bigger sauna because people will often skip using the sauna
when more than just a few people are there even if the space is large enough for ten people. A
more cost-effective solution would be to install a smaller sauna and subscribe to software that
allows students to schedule their allocated time for the sauna room, similar to how USF students
can reserve a private room in the library. The benefit of going the route of installing a smaller
infrared sauna other than cost is convenience and a higher return on investment is convenience.
3
Tigar, L. (2023)
https://www.realsimple.com/sauna-health-benefits-7151505
4
Shmaltz (2017)
https://www.realsimple.com/sauna-health-benefits-7151505
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Walla(2022
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/exercise/article-700433
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There are already premade saunas that size going for less than $3,000 on the market where you
can order and have shipped right to you and all you need is the correct electric circuit to hook it
up.6 With that being said, we recommend USF have this sauna installed by the end of Summer
term 2023, so the sauna can be used to better the quality of life for the students and faculty
members by Fall and attract recruits as they do their scheduled campus tours.
As for the implementation process for adding decibel readers to the gym, this should be
scheduled to also be implemented by the end of the Summer term of 2023. This is important
because it improves the quality of life of all students, faculty, and rec members. The installation
process should be fairly easy, Amazon has many options for decibel readers meant to be used in
large spaces like gyms for less than 100 dollars.7
Solution 2: Upgrade Outdoor Recreational Facilities
Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that has gained immense popularity among college students.
Adding pickleball courts to the USF recreational facilities would be a wise decision as it would
cater to the demand of students who are already playing the sport, and also attract those who are
interested in trying something new. By adding pickleball courts, USF can host tournaments and
invite other universities to compete, which would bring in a significant amount of sponsorship
money.
Furthermore, adding a pickleball team to USF would also add to the university's athletic
programs and increase the opportunities for students to get involved in sports. USF could use the
sponsorships from pickleball tournaments and events to fund the team's equipment and other
expenses, including the purchase of saunas and updated fitness technology for the recreational
facilities.
In addition to attracting sponsorships and improving the student experience, adding pickleball
courts could also enhance the reputation of the University of South Florida compared to other
universities. USF would be joining the growing number of universities that are adding pickleball
to their recreational programs, including the University of Michigan, the University of Georgia,
and the University of Texas at Austin. By investing in modern, high-quality pickleball facilities,
USF would be sending a message to prospective students, faculty, and staff that they prioritize
the health and wellness of their campus community. Furthermore, USF's involvement in hosting
pickleball tournaments and events could position the university as a leader in the sport, attracting
even more attention and revenue to the campus.
6
Saferwholesale (2023)
https://www.saferwholesale.com/4-Person-FAR-Infrared-Sauna-Canadian-Hemlock-Mod-p/xse-modern-dream-open
box.htm?vfsku=XSE.Modern.Dream.OPENBOX&Click=35179
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Amazon (2023)
Amazon link
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According to a 8report by Pickleball Savings, one permanent pickleball court can cost about
$25,000. In contrast, according to 9RookieRoad some players have been found to generate an
average of $80,000 in sponsorship revenue. Moreover, 10The Dink, a pickleball news site,
estimates that pickleball has grown by 14.8% over the last six years, with over 4.8 million
participants in the US alone. These numbers indicate that adding pickleball courts and a team to
USF's facilities could generate significant sponsorship money, which can be utilized to update
the recreational facilities.
Implementation of Solution 2:
While the cost of a permanent pickleball court can be around $25,000, there are more affordable
options available for the University of South Florida (USF) to consider. For instance, temporary
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outdoor cloth court tape can be purchased for as little as $23 and can be placed on any smooth,
flat surface, like any of the tennis courts USF already has. 12Figure 2 shows two examples of
how one tennis court at USF can be converted into four pickleball courts, two separate ways. The
black lines are the outside lines of the tennis court and the green lines are all the lines of the 4
pickleball courts. With the implementation of these court conversions just one of the many tennis
courts USF currently has will become four pickleball courts that USF can use to attract new
students and faculty and generate the revenue needed through sponsors to make more permanent
pickleball courts.
Figure 2: Visual of how one tennis court converts into four pickleball courts.
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Pickleball Savings (2020)
https://pickleballsavings.com/blogs/news/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-an-outdoor-pickleball-court
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Rookie Road (2017-2023)
https://www.rookieroad.com/pickleball/how-much-does-pro-pickleball-player-make-4317951/#:~:text=There%20are
%20three%20major%20ways,hour%20or%20more%20for%20lessons
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Adam Forziati (2022) https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/pickleball-growth-explained-cnbc/
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Pickleball Central (2023)
https://pickleballcentral.com/outdoor-cloth-court-tape/?sku=BT-279-0002&gclid=CjwKCAjw8-OhBhB5EiwADyoY
1a9VJWKPB2zMyr1Y8nphTBU6LiUKBERLleI8upykH1QEhct6FxYquxoCe5UQAvD_BwE
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Travis (2023) https://racketopia.com/4-pickleball-courts-on-a-tennis-court/
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In addition to the court lines, USF would need nets. 13Portable pickleball nets are available for
around $100 to $2300, and they can be moved to different locations as needed. USF could also
decide whether or not to supply paddles and balls, which can be found online or in sporting
goods stores.
By investing less than $1,000, USF could set up multiple pickleball courts on any existing tennis
court-like surface. This would provide students and faculty with a fun and engaging way to stay
active and fit, attract new students to the campus community, and generate revenue through
sponsorships. After enough revenue is generated USF can potentially invest in higher-quality
permanent pickleball courts.
Solution 3: Implementing virtual fitness classes/smart equipment throughout USF
Recreational Facilities
The University of South Florida offers plentiful recreational programs for the wellness of its
students and staff. An added program that would guarantee student involvement is the
implementation of virtual group fitness. Competitor Florida universities such as The University
of Central Florida, The University of Florida, Florida State University, etc., offer virtual Zoom
fitness classes. Virtual Zoom fitness classes may range from Zumba to cardio kickboxing, which
are fitness classes the University of South Florida currently offers to its students. Our university
would see a positive outcome from these classes; oftentimes a student has a crammed schedule
with little time for the gym. Virtual fitness offers a way for one to easily fit an online session into
their current schedule without having it be a costly time commitment. Other benefits include
privacy, personal motivation, and proper attention. A study conducted by the University of
Michigan discovered there is a significant increase in motivation when working out with a
partner, and with a virtual partner the social anxiety some people feel with a public gym is
removed14 When upgrading a department, finances may be an obstacle; with virtual Zoom
fitness, the cost is not a blockade because it is a free application. Cost may be introduced if the
recreational center opens job opportunities for the position of a virtual trainer. Considering these
findings, the implementation of virtual Zoom classes would increase the overall quality of life
for our students and it would be done with little to no cost.
Another feature that would modernize our current fitness department would be BIA scales that
monitor health stats. The name stands for Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, and it is the quickest
way to measure body composition. When one places their hands on the scale sensors, a safe
electrical current passes through the body detecting the composition through the resistance the
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Pickleball Central (2023) https://pickleballcentral.com/nets/portable-pickleball-nets/?sort=priceasc
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Michigan State University. (2011, May 19). Virtual workout partners spur better results, study finds.
ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 13, 2023 from
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current faces while passing through body tissue15 Once completed, a chart provides information
such as total body water, body fat mass, protein, body mass index, skeletal muscle index, ect.
This would benefit the quality of life for our students and athletes because it provides a
segmental breakdown of body composition and targets problem areas and where to focus while
exercising. Having a handful of these BIA scales in our athletic recreational fitness facilities
would be a return on investment by investing in the training and wellness of our athletes. The
cost of these BIA scales can be made up through the Campus Recreation Operating Fund
implemented by USF which allocates funds for the improvement of our rec centers.
Implementation of Solution 3:
The schedule for the implementation of USF virtual fitness classes would be simple. Our current
fitness classes such as pilates, boxing, power yoga, etc., could be streamed via Zoom with the
use of a camera. This is an improvement our university could add in less than a week. USF may
also introduce job positions for a fully virtual exercise instructor, which would take a few weeks
if implemented. The implementation of BIA scales for our gyms would take a few weeks based
on the manufacturer’s shipment process. The BIA scales have a target market for gym
companies, often bought in bulk, so a few weeks of implementation would be expected.
Adding the option for virtual fitness classes at USF would be free of cost for students as well as
for our university. Nearly all students and staff at USF are familiar with the free Zoom
application due to the pandemic that geared school online. With the familiarity of the application,
it will be easy for students to log in with their current accounts and enjoy virtual classes. A single
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BIA scale ranges from $800-$1000 making it equipment that must be invested in. Again,
through the allocated profit made from the Campus Recreation Operating Fund, we could
implement these health screening scales into our gyms for the betterment of the quality of life
among our students.
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7 Reasons Gyms Can Benefit From Our New BIA Scale - Marsden. (2020, July 1). Marsden Weighing. Retrieved
April 13, 2023, from https://www.marsden-weighing.co.uk/blog/gyms-benefit-bia-scale
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7 Reasons Gyms Can Benefit From Our New BIA Scale - Marsden. (2020, July 1). Marsden Weighing. Retrieved
April 13, 2023, from https://www.marsden-weighing.co.uk/blog/gyms-benefit-bia-scale
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Call to Action
This report recommends that USF prioritizes the addition of pickleball courts as the most feasible
solution for improving fitness facilities on campus, while also exploring opportunities for
updating gym technology and adding saunas in the future. Pickleball is a popular and growing
sport among students and faculty, and the addition of pickleball courts would not only enhance
the overall fitness experience at USF but also attract sponsorship revenue that could be used to
update fitness technology and invest in other amenities like saunas. Additionally, pickleball
courts can be constructed at a relatively low cost compared to other facilities, making it the most
feasible option for immediate implementation. This feasibility report also acknowledges the
importance of updating gym technology and adding saunas to the facilities. These initiatives
could greatly enhance the overall fitness experience and attract a wider range of students and
faculty. However, their implementation may require a larger financial investment and more
extensive planning, making them less feasible in the short term. By acting on these initiatives,
USF can better support the health and wellness needs of its community and create a more
positive and supportive campus environment.
