Do I Need To Add A Rec/lounge Room To My Park?, I want to add a rec,lounge and kitchen to my park. Options

[RLM]

As a business proposition to gather groups, rallies, snowbird groups, etc, it’s a good idea. As a place to serve a week-end breakfast for your customers, it is perhaps an amenity that most would take advantage of. I think many would much rather pay a few bucks for someone else’s breakfast than cook and clean.

As an individual, I like most, do not take advantage of rec rooms. A full kitchen is nice, but then I’d have to take my food to it. I would just as soon cook in the RV. I have occasionally used such an area to do wi-fi when the better half sews or is watching the tube.

I recently stayed at a park that had a nice outdoor picnic pavilion with gas BBQ grills. I used it several times. Carrying my food stuffs to it was a bit of a pain, but overcome by not having to drag out and repack my own BBQ equipment.

My wife doesn’t like leaving the laundry unattended in the machines. She would appreciate a rec area with comfortable furniture next to the laundry where she could read a book or watch TV and keep an eye on them.

So I guess I’m saying that, for most individuals, maybe a rec room would be based more on convenience than necessity and you'd have to figure out which one applied to your park.

[parkowner]

As a business proposition to gather groups, rallies, snowbird groups, etc, it’s a good idea. As a place to serve a week-end breakfast for your customers, it is perhaps an amenity that most would take advantage of. I think many would much rather pay a few bucks for someone else’s breakfast than cook and clean.

As an individual, I like most, do not take advantage of rec rooms. A full kitchen is nice, but then I’d have to take my food to it. I would just as soon cook in the RV. I have occasionally used such an area to do wi-fi when the better half sews or is watching the tube.

I recently stayed at a park that had a nice outdoor picnic pavilion with gas BBQ grills. I used it several times. Carrying my food stuffs to it was a bit of a pain, but overcome by not having to drag out and repack my own BBQ equipment.

My wife doesn’t like leaving the laundry unattended in the machines. She would appreciate a rec area with comfortable furniture next to the laundry where she could read a book or watch TV and keep an eye on them.

So I guess I’m saying that, for most individuals, maybe a rec room would be based more on convenience than necessity and you'd have to figure out which one applied to your park.

Thank you for your comments.Very helpful.The different way's you mentioned how it could be used is what i was thinking about how it.Thank you again.

[Park Manager]

I recently managed a larger RV & Mobile Home Park in Oregon that had an older but large Club House with full kitchen facilities, pool table, tv (WITH remote), stereo, banquet tables, round tables, chairs and bathroom. During my time there I got an organ donated and set up a computer with wifi access. Caravan groups require this type of facility, long term stays appreciate the use for larger family gatherings, and the park is able to host special events or parties. This building was a larger double wide converted, with the office at one end. The park also offered tent sites and it was this group that REALLY appreciated the facility. They could make a real meal in the kitchen (we supplied dishes, etc.), catch up on their email, watch a show, play a game of pool - all without being in the rain and cold! By the way, I never had to clean up anyone's dishes - everyone was very respectful of the facility. Since I was in sight of this bldg I left it unlocked 24/7. One rule I enforced, no one under 16 without adult supervisioin.

[maedreams]

I agree that it's the over-55's that would mostly have the time and inclination to use a rec room and my ideas to encourage its use are:
1) Let arriving campers know there is coffee and newspapers in it each morning.
2) Make sure it is a clean and pleasant space in which to spend time.
3) Put photos of local attractions or local historic photos or local maps on the walls. Label the photos!
4) Be present - owners and/or work-campers should hang out in the rec room. Depending on what type of RV park, that could be at breakfast, the afternoon, or the evening.
5) Plan a weekly (at least) event in the room at various times during the day. Game night or afternoon, pancake breakfast (charge a dollar or two), pot-lucks.

If you want to try out an inexpensive rec room, the campground we just left put up a mid-sized tent as one for this winter. It has just enough room for two rectangle tables & chairs as well as the vented wood stove.

Thanks for the comment.Is there any reason why you don't us a rec/lounge room? I'm not saying their is something wrong if you don't use it,but if everything was in place and it was comfortable to use would you use it?

[parkowner]

I recently managed a larger RV & Mobile Home Park in Oregon that had an older but large Club House with full kitchen facilities, pool table, tv (WITH remote), stereo, banquet tables, round tables, chairs and bathroom. During my time there I got an organ donated and set up a computer with wifi access. Caravan groups require this type of facility, long term stays appreciate the use for larger family gatherings, and the park is able to host special events or parties. This building was a larger double wide converted, with the office at one end. The park also offered tent sites and it was this group that REALLY appreciated the facility. They could make a real meal in the kitchen (we supplied dishes, etc.), catch up on their email, watch a show, play a game of pool - all without being in the rain and cold! By the way, I never had to clean up anyone's dishes - everyone was very respectful of the facility. Since I was in sight of this bldg I left it unlocked 24/7. One rule I enforced, no one under 16 without adult supervisioin.

Thank you for your comments.Very useful information.

I agree that it's the over-55's that would mostly have the time and inclination to use a rec room and my ideas to encourage its use are:
1) Let arriving campers know there is coffee and newspapers in it each morning.
2) Make sure it is a clean and pleasant space in which to spend time.
3) Put photos of local attractions or local historic photos or local maps on the walls. Label the photos!
4) Be present - owners and/or work-campers should hang out in the rec room. Depending on what type of RV park, that could be at breakfast, the afternoon, or the evening.
5) Plan a weekly (at least) event in the room at various times during the day. Game night or afternoon, pancake breakfast (charge a dollar or two), pot-lucks.

If you want to try out an inexpensive rec room, the campground we just left put up a mid-sized tent as one for this winter. It has just enough room for two rectangle tables & chairs as well as the vented wood stove.

Thank you for your comments. Good information.

[olivercamper]

This is a hard question to answer. As a campground owner we have entertained the thought and dismissed it. I guess it depends on what clientele you are looking to attract . As a family campground on a lake we have found we can not even offer "activies'" ( other than holidays!)
as no one wants to participate...they would rather be out in the boat or in the pool!

If you cater to the mature camper or camping rallies, perhaps your idea would enhance your campground. Tough decision!

[parkowner]

This is a hard question to answer. As a campground owner we have entertained the thought and dismissed it. I guess it depends on what clientele you are looking to attract . As a family campground on a lake we have found we can not even offer "activies'" ( other than holidays!)
as no one wants to participate...they would rather be out in the boat or in the pool!

If you cater to the mature camper or camping rallies, perhaps your idea would enhance your campground. Tough decision!

Thank you for the comments.