Industry Expertise

Our research and analysis methods work.

Strategic Research Associates continues to be the research firm of choice for many local, regional, and national companies and  public sector entities. We have conducted customer, member, voter, rider, user, business to business, residential, and general population research for hundreds of organizations.

  • Over two dozen YMCA, and public recreation facilities (YMCA of the Blue Water, Sandpoint Area Recreation and Community Center, Central California YMCA, Mountain Home Community Leadership Development Committee, Eugene, OR YMCA, Treasure Valley YMCA, Tillamook Family YMCA, YMCA of the Inland Northwest, Canyon County YMCA, Longmont YMCA, Yakima YMCA, and others)
  • Over a dozen public schools and universities (Spokane, Mead, Peninsula, Richland, Central Valley, West Valley, East Valley, Medical Lake, Deer Park, Riverside, and Nine Mile Falls School Districts, Whitworth University, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, North Idaho College, Washington State University, and University of Washington)
  • 4 state organizations (Washington State Departments of Health, Early Learning, Ecology and the Washington State Liquor Control Board)
  • Nearly 10 parks and recreation departments (City of Alameda, Spokane Parks and Recreation, City of Vacaville, City of Juneau, City of Airway Heights, City of Kennewick, San Carlos Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Santa Clara, City of South San Francisco, City of Windsor)
  • 4 cities and local chambers of commerce (City of Airway Heights, City of Spokane, Greater Spokane Incorporated, Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce)
  • 3 airports and public transportation organizations (Spokane International Airport, Felts Field, and Spokane Transit Authority)
  • 3 public electrical utilities and electrical service support corporations (Avista Utilities, Inland Power and Light, EnergyTrust of Oregon)
  • 2 public utilities and waste districts (Snohomish Public Utilities District, Spokane Regional Solid Waste System)
  • 1 public facilities district (Spokane Public Facilities District)
  • 2 library districts (Spokane County Library, Community Library Network of North Idaho)

You don’t have to take our word for it. Follow on for some brief examples of past research success.

Project Showcase: YMCA New Facility Feasibility Research and Sales Revenue Estimation Research Projects

Many YMCAs leverage public opinion polling and customer satisfaction research during the planning phases of new construction projects and throughout program development. In fact, Strategic Research Associates has completed dozens of feasibility studies for companies throughout the West, leading to millions of dollars in new construction investments for YMCAs and other community health and wellness organizations.

We will continue to be a vendor of choice for many YMCAs as they continue to look at expanding services to meet the ever growing needs of the populations they serve.

Strategic Research Associates has conducted member, program and feasibility research for over two dozen YMCA and YWCAs, the following is a brief sample of a few Spokane area projects which have been successfully built and implemented from our research results.

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Central Spokane YMCA-YWCA

The new 80,000 square foot Central YMCA / YWCA project represents a first-of-its-kind facility for these two organizations in our country. While the YMCA and YWCA’s respective missions are different and unique, this project takes advantage of some of the common services and spaces the organizations provide, capitalizing on shared spaces and resources. These include An Early Childhood / ECEAP center, kitchen, cafe, large public meeting room and party / rental rooms.

The YMCA portion features a 12,000 sq. ft. natatorium with lap and recreational swimming tanks, gymnasium, fitness center, aerobics / spinning rooms, teen center, family activity room, administrative support spaces and locker rooms.

The YWCA portion includes computer training rooms, clothing resource area, domestic violence counseling / visitation center, after school care center, administrative spaces and an exterior rooftop garden / event area.

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North Spokane YMCA-YWCA

This new 52,000 square foot community recreation facility includes three indoor swimming pools, a spa, a lazy river, a gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms, fitness and aerobic areas, a weight room, meeting/party rooms, childcare and lounges, and administration and support areas. The facility also includes space for the YWCA’s Head Start program.

Site development includes parking for 250 vehicles, an outdoor covered activity area with restrooms, nature trails, an outdoor amphitheater, and potential future playfields and skatepark.

 

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Spokane Valley YMCA

This new community recreation and athletic facility is located at Mirabeau Point in the Spokane Valley. It features an aquatics center equipped with a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool for swimming as well as a 2,500 square foot recreation/therapy pool with a 140 foot water slide, sprays, fountains and kiddie slides.

Other spaces include a gymnasium, exercise room, climbing wall, Youth & Teen Center, multi-purpose rooms, kitchen, snack bar and office area.

 

 

Project Showcase: City of Spokane Aquatic Facilities

This project involved the simultaneous design and construction of six new custom public aquatic facilities for the City of Spokane. The design process involved an extensive public input process for each of the six facilities. Each project was located in a unique neighborhood park in locations throughout Spokane. The team PoolFulltook each project through a thorough public process, thereby ensuring that each pool design would be customized for the citizens of each neighborhood. Three of the projects involved the remodeling of existing bathhouses, one of which (in the Comstock neighborhood) had architectural significance to the neighbors.

Strategic Research Associates was commissioned to conduct a telephone survey among Spokane’s heads-of-household to assess the level of demand for each of a number of alternative regional-level aquatic and multi-use facilities.  Measurements included desirability of facility improvements, reactions to membership and fee options, preferences among voters, and recommendations about how best to appeal to voters.

The survey identified the most attractive aquatic alternatives among Spokane’s heads-of-household.  The city employed this information in configuring its recommendations and a subsequent bond passed with a 68% approval rating.