Case Study : USC Student Rec Center

With 3,000 member visits daily, the William Lyon Center—USC’s student and alumni recreation center—had to be physically and functionally up to the challenge. Faced with the challenge of upgrading this facility’s original equipment for the first time since its development in 1988, AFP implemented a phased approach, allowing for the most efficient, practical and cost-effective upgrade of the facility. From increasing supply of cardio-vascular equipment, to training USC’s on-site service technicians to reduce outside service costs, AFP pulled out all the stops to make the Lyon Center a standard for student recreation facilities.

Facility Description

Located in Los Angeles, USC has long been considered one of the preeminent academic institutions in the United States.

This student and alumni recreation center located on the USC campus was made possible through the donations of its namesake, General William Lyon. The member-based on-campus facility was first developed in 1988 and currently accommodates more than 3,000 individuals daily, 85 percent of which are USC students and 15 percent of which are faculty and alumni.

Project Summary

Originally, AFP was called upon to specifically provide service to the entire recreation center. This translated into AFP servicing older equipment that had been installed back when the facility was developed in 1988. This was a patchwork collection of equipment from a variety of manufacturers resulting in a lack of consistency and cohesiveness to both the look and functionality of the facility.

The Lyon Center is a member-based facility, therefore, meeting an exemplary standard of customer service was important to the facility’s ongoing success. Considering the importance of maintaining member approval and the challenges inherent with outdated equipment, it was apparent that the facility was in need of upgrades.

Considering the unique “wear-and-tear” demands of significantly high level of usage by over 3,000 individuals per day, equipment reliability would be paramount. Through its industry-leading network of relationships with top manufacturers, AFP was able to consolidate supply, providing state-of-the-art equipment within USC’s budget parameters. AFP was also able to structure a service support level to increase equipment reliability over the life of the facility.

AFP’s services weren’t limited to supply and service. In order to minimize down time of equipment and reduce the need for outside service professionals, AFP trained Lyon Center on-site service technicians to address the most common equipment repairs. In addition to the training, these repairs were anticipated and prepared for with increased inventory of the specific parts relative to each.
The volume of equipment was significant for a facility of this size; therefore, a complete revamp of the facility’s equipment would have to occur in phases. AFP’s plan addressed equipment needs in terms of priority, with each phase addressing a different area and level of need.

The plan’s first phase addressed the need for cardio-vascular equipment. With a majority of members being students seeking more baseline results in general physical conditioning and weight loss amidst busy student schedules, the most significant demand would be for upgraded cardiovascular equipment, including treadmills and elliptical training machines. AFP analyzed the current floor plan to create solutions to allow for this increased cardio-vascular equipment and the ability to add personal viewing screens and plasma TV’s to enhance the overall experience for members.

Subsequent phases (currently ongoing) would address an expansion of the facility’s upper level and a full-revamp of the facilities strength equipment.

As an adjunct service, AFP provided a viable retail component, introducing its travelTRAINER line of fitness products and accessories for sale to Lyon Center members. The first of these products introduced was the AFP’s tT Personal Fitness Studio – a product offering a range of fitness accessories necessary to achieve a complete workout whether at home or on the road, built to fit into any standard travel luggage. This was ideal for those students who often would need to maintain their fitness regimens from their dorm rooms or off-campus housing.

Results

The initial phases of the Lyon Center upgrade are complete with additional phases ongoing. Through its service to date, AFP has solidified its relationship with the University and the Lyon Center, earning the distinction as USC’s exclusive fitness equipment provider and consultant.