Holbæk Council, Denmark
- Optimal utilization of sports facilitites with HallMonitor
- HallMonitor - data provided insight and facts
- Visibility about the gap between booked and used time as well as hidden capacity during school hours
- Denmark
HallMonitor helped to better use of sports facilities with new activities as well as transparency and thus increased user satisfaction
Background
Holbæk Municipality has 19 sports halls, 18 public schools, and 417 associations using these facilities. A study conducted by the University of Southern Denmark revealed that the facilities were only utilized two-thirds of the time, highlighting a need for optimization. The collaboration with HallMonitor has provided the municipality with new opportunities to create transparency and free up unused time for new activities.
There was great potential to optimize facility usage, but the necessary tools to monitor and manage bookings efficiently were missing. The solution came in the form of HallMonitor.
The solution
Using HallMonitor’s activity tracking system, sensors and cameras have been installed in the sports facilities as well as on the paddle courts and artificial turf fields, accurately measuring usage. This has enabled the municipality to identify discrepancies between what is booked and what is actually used.
School hours – an untapped resource
The analysis revealed that school sports could be adjusted to the actual demand for physical education, freeing up 181 hours per week between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM—equivalent to 36.5% of the total time allocated to schools. This newly available time has now opened up space for new activities in the facilities, including private operators and associations.
Key insights
One significant discovery was the 30% difference between booked and utilized time. This has been a crucial factor in optimizing facility usage and adjusting it to actual needs. There is now better dialogue with the associations, and the management of the facilities are more capable of adjusting demand based on real activity data. For example, the Krolf association in Merløse can now use facility time in the mornings, which was previously wasted.
Results
The activity tracking has created substantial value for both the municipality and the users of the facilities. The hours freed up from school sports have increased flexibility and made room for more new activities. At the same time, overall utilization of the facilities has improved, as unused bookings are now more frequently identified and made available to other users. The data is also publicly accessible on the municipality’s website, creating greater transparency and satisfaction among both associations and residents.
The future
With an expected population growth of 3,500 residents by 2035, the demand for sports facilities will increase. Data will therefore play a central role in the future strategy for optimizing operations, providing a better basis for comparison and evaluation when making decisions about building new facilities. With a focus on sustainability, it is essential to first fully utilize the existing spaces and community hubs before constructing new ones.
Summary
The collaboration with HallMonitor has enabled Holbæk Municipality to significantly improve the utilization of their sports facilities. The hours freed from school sports and the increased transparency in facility usage have had a positive impact on both the municipality and users. With activity tracking, the municipality is well-prepared to meet future needs for efficient and sustainable management of their facilities.
Curious to hear more?
+45 9395 9388
contact@hallmonitor.eu
Mon-thursday 8 am to 4 pm.
Friday 8 am to 4 pm
