Building Strong Community Facilities: Getting it Right at the Start
Every journey begins with a single step, and in the realm of community facility development, that step is research. Before you can create a space that will effectively serve its community, you must first understand that community. Who are the people who will use this facility? What are their needs, interests, and preferences? What kinds of activities and events do they want to see in their community space?
Once you’ve done your research and have a clear understanding of your community, you can begin planning your facility. This is a complex process involving multiple aspects, from branding and pricing structures to operations and systems management. However, it is essential to approach this process with diligence and care to set your project up for success.
Creating a Brand that Resonates
Branding is about more than just a catchy name and logo. It’s about creating an identity for your facility that resonates with the community it serves. Your brand should reflect the values, interests, and aspirations of your community. It should be something that the community can identify with and feel proud to be a part of.
It’s also crucial to consider your branding in all aspects of your facility’s design, operations, and essentially what your community is all about. Everything from the colours you choose to the type of events you host should align with your brand.
Structuring Your Pricing Correctly
Pricing is a delicate balance. On one hand, you need to ensure that your pricing structure is affordable for your community, so the facility is accessible to as many people as possible. On the other hand, you also need to ensure that your pricing structure is sustainable for your facility, so you can continue to provide high-quality services and maintain your operations in the long term.
One approach to achieving this balance is tiered pricing, where different levels of service or access are available at different price points (charity / member rates etc). This allows you to provide affordable options for lower-income community members, while also offering premium options for those who can afford to pay more such as larger businesses and chains.
Getting the Operations Right
Smooth and efficient operations are the backbone of any successful community facility. From booking systems to cleaning schedules, every operational aspect should be carefully planned and executed to ensure that your facility runs smoothly and your users have a positive experience. If you know anything about me I cant talk about customer service enough either!
This also includes establishing clear and efficient communication channels for your team and your users, and implementing robust systems for financial management, asset tracking, and maintenance.
Financial Awareness and Staffing
A successful community facility also requires careful financial management and the right staffing. It’s crucial to be aware of your financial situation at all times, and to plan and budget carefully to ensure the long-term sustainability of your facility.
When it comes to staffing, it’s important to hire the right people and contractors. Look for individuals who share your vision for the community facility, and who have the skills, experience, and dedication to help make that vision a reality. For contractors always get at least 3-5 quotes and check their PLI and that they have a proven track record. For staff I like to look at the person as a whole alongside their people & office based skills such as admin and bookings software experience.
Engaging the Community
Finally, the most important aspect of a successful community facility is community engagement. From the planning stages to the day-to-day operations, it’s vital to involve the community in every aspect of your facility.
This means actively seeking feedback and input from community members, hosting events and activities that meet the community’s needs and interests, and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Building a successful community facility from scratch is no small task, but with careful planning, diligent research, and a strong focus on community engagement, it’s an achievable goal. By getting it right from the start, you can create a facility that truly serves its community, and that will be a valuable asset for years to come.
Want advice on opening up your community facilities or rebranding / developing your current site? My emails are open – mark@evolutionmanagement.co.uk
