A Good Stretch: 10 Flexible Spaces in Community Rec Centers
Community recreation centers are being asked to do more than ever.
On a typical day, the same building might host morning lap swim, after-school programs, and a community meeting, all before closing. The biggest limiting factor? Space.
The most successful facilities rely on flexibility, which has shifted how centers are designed. Spaces must adapt throughout the day and continue functioning as programs evolve over time. When rooms stay active, the entire center can serve more people.
What Makes a Space Flexible?
Not every multi-purpose room is truly flexible. The spaces that perform best share a few common traits that make it easier to maximize their use:
Easy Transitions: Furniture is lightweight, layouts are intuitive, and storage is nearby. Resetting the room should feel routine, not like a production.
Adaptable Boundaries: Movable partitions, large openings, and indoor-outdoor connections enable rooms to change size as needed.
Strong Use per Square Foot: The most versatile spaces are active for most of the day, supporting both participation and cost recovery.
1. Classrooms & Community Rooms
Revenue potential: high
These rooms are the quiet workhorses of a recreation center and are often underestimated. A single space might host youth camps in the morning, adult enrichment in the afternoon, and meetings in the evening. With modular furniture and accessible storage, classrooms can remain active from open to close.
Shown here at Northern Regional Recreation Center
2. Multi-Activity Courts
Revenue potential: high
Few spaces adapt to changing trends as easily as a gym with multi-activity courts. Sports, camps, pickleball, and community events can all share the same footprint. An extra bonus we are seeing in some centers is the addition of an Auxiliary Gym. Separate from the main gymnasium, it can host camps and programming that are more exclusive or specialized. When scheduled well, these spaces often yield some of the highest returns in the building.
Shown here at The CORE - Center of Recreational Excellence
3. Group Fitness Studios
Revenue potential: high
Studios rarely serve just one type of class. Over the course of the day, they may shift from strength training to dance to spin with only minutes in between. Frequent turnover and minimal setup time make these rooms both efficient and highly adaptable. Integrating functional training equipment and adding connections to outdoor training areas increases the programming potential and utilization of these spaces.
Shown here at The Hill - South Meridian Family YMCA
4. Teaching Kitchen
Revenue potential: medium
Teaching kitchens now support far more than just cooking lessons. They also include nutrition education, wellness programs, demonstrations, and can flex to support catering for community events, all in the same space. With adaptable seating arrangements and thoughtful layouts, the room can easily switch between different uses.
Shown here at Willa D. Johnson Recreation Center
5. Party Rooms
Revenue potential: high
These smaller rooms tend to book frequently and turn over quickly. When not hosting parties, they easily convert to camp rooms, art spaces, dryland training space for lifeguards, or breakout areas. Their efficiency and consistent demand make them unexpectedly powerful.
Shown here at Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center
6. Outdoor Program Zones
Revenue potential: medium to high
Outdoor spaces extend programming beyond the building and help relieve pressure on interior rooms. Fitness classes, personal trainers, and even seasonal events all benefit from adaptable outdoor areas. While revenue varies by climate, their flexibility adds real value.
Shown here at Trail Winds Recreation Center
7. Lifestyle Pool
Revenue potential: high
Flexibility in aquatics comes from how different pools work together. Lap pools support fitness and instruction; leisure pools focus on play, and wellness pools accommodate therapy and low-impact classes. When coordinated well, the aquatic program can shift throughout the day while each space stays true to its purpose. A well-designed lifestyle pool can incorporate elements of all the pools mentioned above. It is important to consider water temperature and a variety of depths for these different elements.
Shown here at Olathe Community Center
8. STEM & Innovation Lab
Revenue potential: medium
With open layouts and mobile equipment, STEM labs can easily switch between technology programs, workshops, tutoring, and seminars. Key considerations include ample large, lockable storage for specific class needs, creative programming, and keeping technology current. The innovation lab at LINC features a gaming lounge, AV/podcast studio, and three large rooms (a car can drive in through the garage door for an automotive technology class). Their flexibility enables support for multiple age groups and allows adaptation as priorities change.
Shown here at LINC Innovation Center
9. Makerspaces
Revenue potential: low to medium
Maker spaces promote hands-on learning and creative exploration. Crafting, woodworking, and ceramic arts often share the same area. Specialized equipment like laser-cutting or woodworking machines can be popular but may require special design considerations to keep the space flexible. While revenue varies, these spaces play a significant role in community connection.
Shown here at BASE - Big Sky Community Center
10. Lobbies & Social Commons
Revenue potential: low
Modern lobbies serve much more than just guiding people through the building. They also host informal gatherings, homework help, and pop-up events. Although not typically meant for rental, these areas play an important role in fostering social connections.
Shown here at The Beacon Recreation Center
Flexible spaces allow recreation centers to adapt to change without frequent renovations. They enable programs to grow, schedules to shift, and staff to optimize their resources. When spaces are designed to stretch, the building remains relevant longer and continues to serve the community well in the future.
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