An intro to the sphere of influence in leisure

1. The Sphere of Influence for Leisure
Activities

2. Syllabus links
Variations in sphere of influence for different
kinds of sporting and touristic facility, including
neighbourhood parks and gyms, city stadiums
and national parks

3. The ‘Leisure Hierarchy’
The availability of leisure facilities varies according
to the size of the settlement. Each leisure facility is
influenced by:
• Its threshold population – the number of people
needed to support the facility
• Its catchment area or sphere of influence – the
size of the area that the facility serves
• Its range – the maximum distance people are
prepared to travel to use the facility

8. What factors influence the distribution of sports & Tourist
facilities?
Accessibility
Those that need high
threshold populations tend
to be located in the centre
eg. Shopping malls
Land cost
Those that require more
space tend to be in the
suburbs and beyond eg.
Golf courses.
Physical characteristics
Some leisure facilities need
certain physical characteristics
eg. A river for rowing, scenic
wonders for a national park.
History/Tradition
Some sports stadiums
are located near the
centre as they were built
before land prices rose.
Socio-Econ characteristics
Some facilities are located
where they have demand
from particular groups eg.
Gyms for the upwardly
mobile.
Government support
Some facilities (recreation
centres) are built with
public $ to encourage a
healthier, more cohesive
community.