ASSESSMENT OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL ( A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL, IMO STATE).

ABSTRACT

This study aim to assess and report on the management of recreational facilities and to proffer solutions that will enhance it. There have been several researches on management of recreational facilities worldwide but none have been carried out in Owerri municipal, Imo State, Nigeria .The research instrument employed in this research is questionnaire, using like-rt scale while the research technique is simple random sampling basically for the management unit and users of the recreational facilities. The research question contains varied questions on the management strategy adopted in managing the recreational facilities, the hindrances to managing it and the benefit of these recreational facilities on student academic performance. It was found that no management strategy is adopted while caring for the recreational facilities, inadequacy of fund is a great setback while managing the recreational facilities, it was also discovered that the manner which the users use this recreational facilities is a great barrier, furthermore, it was discovered that the availability of recreational facilities in the school does not have a negative influence on the student academic performance. The research recommend that the management unit should adopt management strategy such as preventive, predictive and corrective strategy in managing recreational facilities in the school, it also recommend that professional such as estate managers who are well trained and who possess the required skill should be drafted into the management unit and ample provision of fund should be made available in other  to ensure smooth operation of the recreational facilities and finally it recommend the addition of recreational facilities in the school.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This chapter covers the introductory element of this research; subtopics presented are statement of the problem, aim, objectives, limitation of the Research, scope of the Research, significance of the Research definition of terms and organization of the Research

Recreation is a word that is frequently used in the world, by different people all over the world; various meaning is given to it by various people. The management of recreation facility requires a close examination of the economic capability, the provision and maintenance of capital works and the true and proper use of the resource and to preserve, conserve, exploit and restore them into a good state or condition. Recreation is difficult to separate from the general concept of play, which is usually the term for children’s recreational activity. It has been proposed that play or recreational activities are outlets of or expression of excess energy, channeling it into socially acceptable activities that fulfill individual as well as societal needs, without need for compulsion, and providing satisfaction and pleasure for the participant (Bruce, 1995). 

Recreation as defined by (Thomas, 1970), is as an act of experience selected by the individual during his leisure to meet a personal want or desire, primarily for his own satisfaction. Recreation is referred to as leisure-time activities. Recreation is the major reason why people engage in touristic movement. Recreation is an essential part of human life and finds many different forms which are shaped naturally by individual interests but also by the surrounding social construction. Recreational activities can be communal or solitary, active or passive, outdoors or indoors, healthy or harmful, and useful for society or detrimental. A list of typical activities could be almost endless including most human activities, a few examples being reading, playing or listening to music, watching movies or TV, gardening, hunting, hobbies, sports, studies, and travel. Some recreational activities – such as gambling, recreational drug use, or delinquent activities – may violate societal norms and laws. Even also Public space such as parks and beaches are essential venues for many recreational activities (Thomas, 1970). Out door recreation or outdoor activity is leisure pursuits engaged in the outdoors, often in natural or semi-natural settings out of town.