7 Mistakes Your HOA Is Making with Recreation Programming (and How Resort-Style Communities Do It Right)

Your HOA spent six figures on that beautiful clubhouse and state-of-the-art fitness center. So why does it feel like a ghost town most days?

Here's the uncomfortable truth: having great amenities doesn't automatically create a thriving community. The difference between a successful recreation program and expensive empty spaces comes down to one thing: programming strategy.

Resort-style communities figured this out years ago. They don't just build amenities and hope people show up. They create experiences that residents actually want to participate in, week after week.

Let's dive into the seven biggest mistakes most HOAs make with their recreation programming: and how you can fix them by stealing a few pages from the resort playbook.

Mistake #1: The "Build It and They'll Come" Mentality

Most HOAs approach recreation like this: Install a tennis court, maybe throw in some pickleball lines, and call it done. Then they wonder why the court sits empty except for the same four people every Tuesday morning.

What Resort-Style Communities Do Instead: Resort communities don't just provide facilities: they create programming around them. They offer beginner clinics, social mixers, tournaments with prizes, and progressive skill-building classes. Every amenity becomes a hub for multiple types of engagement.

Take our pickleball programs, for example. Instead of just painting lines on a court, we create beginner-friendly lessons, competitive leagues, and social events that bring new players into the fold every month.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Community's Demographics

Here's a scenario we see all the time: An HOA with 60% residents over age 55 creates a recreation calendar packed with high-intensity boot camps and competitive volleyball tournaments. Meanwhile, the yoga classes and walking groups they actually want? Nowhere to be found.

What Resort-Style Communities Do Instead: They do their homework first. Resort communities survey their guests, track participation data, and adjust programming based on who actually lives there. They know that a community with young families needs different programming than a 55+ active adult community.

Before launching any new program, ask yourself: Does this match what your residents actually want and can realistically participate in?

Mistake #3: Terrible Timing and Scheduling

Picture this: Your HOA schedules the weekly fitness class at 9 AM on a Wednesday, right when most working residents are stuck in meetings. Or you plan the community social hour at 5 PM on a Friday when everyone's rushing home or leaving for weekend plans.

What Resort-Style Communities Do Instead: Resort communities test different time slots and adjust based on attendance patterns. They know that 6 PM works better for working professionals, while 10 AM hits the sweet spot for retirees. They also offer the same popular programs at multiple times throughout the week.

Pro tip: Survey your residents about their preferred times before locking in a schedule. You might be surprised by what you discover.

Mistake #4: DIY Instruction (AKA The Amateur Hour Problem)

Nothing kills enthusiasm for a new activity faster than poor instruction. We've all been there: showing up excited for a tennis lesson only to find out it's being "taught" by a well-meaning board member who hasn't played competitively since high school.

What Resort-Style Communities Do Instead: They invest in professional instructors who know how to teach, not just play. Professional instruction doesn't just improve skills: it prevents injuries, builds confidence, and keeps people coming back.

When residents see improvement in their game and feel safe during activities, they become your biggest advocates. Check out how we approach professional tennis instruction to see the difference quality coaching makes.

Mistake #5: The "If You Build It" Communication Strategy

Here's how most HOAs handle program promotion: They post a flyer on the community bulletin board (you know, the one behind the mailboxes that nobody reads) and maybe send one email blast. Then they're shocked when only three people show up.

What Resort-Style Communities Do Instead: Resort communities treat program promotion like a marketing campaign. They use multiple touchpoints: email reminders, social media posts, door-to-door conversations, and word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied participants.

They also make it easy to sign up. No hunting down the lifestyle director or filling out forms in triplicate. Simple online registration, clear instructions, and friendly follow-up communication.

Mistake #6: Zero Feedback Collection

Most HOAs operate in a feedback vacuum. They plan programs based on assumptions, run them the same way year after year, and never actually ask residents what's working or what could be better.

What Resort-Style Communities Do Instead: They're constantly collecting feedback and adjusting accordingly. Post-activity surveys, casual check-ins with participants, and regular program reviews help them stay relevant and responsive to changing interests.

The best resort communities also track participation trends over time. If attendance is dropping, they dig into why instead of just canceling the program.

Mistake #7: All Facilities, No Community Building

This might be the biggest mistake of all. Many HOAs focus solely on providing activities without thinking about how those activities can build relationships and community connections.

What Resort-Style Communities Do Instead: Every program is designed with community building in mind. They create opportunities for residents to meet each other, form friendships, and develop ongoing relationships outside of organized activities.

This means incorporating social elements into fitness classes, organizing post-tournament celebrations, and creating programs that naturally encourage conversation and connection. When residents feel connected to their neighbors, they become more invested in the community overall.

The Resort Formula That Actually Works

Here's what successful resort-style communities understand that most HOAs miss: Recreation programming isn't about the activities themselves: it's about creating experiences that make residents feel valued, connected, and excited to be part of the community.

The formula is simple:

• Know your audience and program accordingly

• Invest in quality instruction and experiences

• Promote effectively across multiple channels

• Collect feedback and adjust regularly

• Focus on community building, not just activity provision

Making the Shift in Your Community

Ready to transform your HOA's recreation programming from amateur hour to resort-style excellence? Start with these three immediate changes:

1. Survey your residents about their actual interests and preferred timing

2. Pick one program and do it really well rather than spreading resources too thin

3. Track participation and satisfaction to measure success

The communities that get this right don't just have better amenities: they have happier residents, higher property values, and the kind of community atmosphere that makes people want to stay for the long haul.

Want to see how professional recreation programming can transform your community? Explore our proven programs and discover why communities across the country are making the switch from DIY recreation to professional programming that actually works.

Because your residents deserve better than empty amenities and missed opportunities. They deserve a community that brings them together, keeps them active, and makes coming home the best part of their day.