"We thought this was a great opportunity to go all in with the product offerings."

Turning a fresh start into a digital transformation

When the Town of LaSalle reopened programs following the pandemic, the recreation team took the opportunity to rethink how they delivered services to the community. Having recently implemented ACTIVENet, they saw a chance to modernize operations, eliminate paper-based processes, and create a better experience for participants, parents, and staff.

"We thought this was a great opportunity to go all in with the product offerings," said Scott Bisson, Manager of Culture and Recreation.

What started as an effort to improve daily operations quickly became a catalyst for broader digital transformation across the department.

The Challenge: Manual Processes Limited Efficiency

Before ACTIVENet Connect, staff relied heavily on paper rosters and attendance sheets to manage programs.

The challenges were especially evident at LaSalle's Aquatic Center, where attendance sheets were frequently exposed to water and had to be reprinted. New registrations and enrollment changes required constant updates, creating a time-consuming manual process for staff.

"We were consistently reprinting attendance sheets and rosters," explainedJulie Turnbull, Supervisor of Programming. "When there's constant changesfrom week to week with new enrollments, it became quite a manual process."

Additionally, staff often had to search multiple program rooms or with instructors to find participant information, making it more difficult to quickly assist parents and participants.

The Solution: Real-Time Information with ACTIVENet Connect

LaSalle implemented ACTIVENet Connect to provide staff with instant access to program and participant information from iPads.

The team initially rolled out the solution in phases, identifying which programs would benefit most from mobile attendance and participant management. Today, ACTIVENet Connect is used across aquatic, recreation, and community programs throughout the municipality.

With ACTIVENet Connect, staff can:

• Track attendance digitally across all programs
• Access real-time participant and registration information
• Validate memberships from anywhere
• Manage programs at indoor and outdoor facilities
• View updated class rosters instantly
• Personalize participant interactions using participant photos

One unexpected benefit has been the ability to create more personal connections with participants.

"They have a lot of fun taking the pictures of the participants," said Turnbull. "They're able to connect that name to the child's face and make the experience a little bit more personal."

As participants arrive for classes or swimming lessons, staff already know who they are, creating a welcoming and engaging experience.

The Results

Increased Operational Efficiency

By replacing paper attendance sheets with digital tracking, LaSalle streamlined daily operations and reduced administrative work.

Staff no longer need to continually print updated rosters, and attendance records are instantly accessible when needed.

"It's nice to be able to go into the system and see what happened live," said Turnbull.

The transition has also reduced spending on printing and office supplies while improving the accuracy and accessibility of attendance records.

More Empowered Staff

ACTIVENet Connect puts critical information directly in the hands of frontline staff.

Rather than tracking down instructors or searching through paperwork, staff can quickly pull up participant records, locate registrations, and answer customer questions in real time.

"Our staff have fully embraced it," said Turnbull. "They like having the information right at their hands."

The result is faster service, increased confidence, and a better experience for both staff and community members.

A More Personalized Customer Experience

For many families, especially those whose kids are attending their first swim lesson or recreation program, small interactions can make a big difference.

Using ACTIVENet Connect, staff can recognize participants by name from the moment they arrive, helping children feel welcomed and parents feel reassured.

"It brings a lot of comfort to parents when they bring their child out for their first swimming lesson and we're recognizing the child and saying their name," said Bisson.

These personalized interactions help strengthen relationships between staff, participants, and the community.

Beyond Attendance: A Foundation for Innovation

What began as an investment in ACTIVENet Connect quickly opened the door to broader technology adoption across the department.

To support Connect, LaSalle equipped staff with iPads, devices that soon became invaluable tools for many other operational improvements.

Today, staff use those same devices for:

• Digital lesson plans
• Staff resources and training materials
• Program videos and instructional content
• Enhanced program delivery and staff support

"The investment originally was for Connect, and then we were able to just keep the ball rolling," said Turnbull. "We're excited to see what else we can keep rolling with."

By investing in technology for one purpose, the team created new opportunities to improve staff training, program quality, and service delivery.

Learning and Growing Through the ACTIVENet Community

LaSalle's team is also a strong advocate for ACTIVENet user groups, viewing them as valuable opportunities to connect with peers, learn best practices, and stay informed about upcoming product innovations.

"We think they're a fantastic opportunity to learn about new releases and speak to the staff from ACTIVE, but also interact with other users and learn how they're using the system," said Bisson.

The team regularly takes ideas and insights from user groups back to their community, helping them continuously improve services and maximize their investment in ACTIVENet.

Would They Recommend ACTIVENet Connect?

Without hesitation.

"Absolutely," said Bisson. "It puts the power in staff's hands to have real-time information about their class. We would absolutely recommend it to other customers."

Having already shared their experience with other municipalities, the Town of LaSalle continues to champion ACTIVENet Connect as a powerful tool for improving efficiency, empowering staff, and delivering exceptional participant experiences.

Key Benefits Achieved

• Eliminated paper attendance processes
• Reduced administrative effort and printing costs
• Equipped staff with real-time participant information
• Improved customer service and staff confidence
• Enhanced participant experiences through personalized interactions
• Enabled attendance tracking across indoor and outdoor facilities
• Created a foundation for broader digital transformation

"Overall, it's been fantastic for us, and we're looking forward to continuing to use it." - Scott Bisson, Manager of Culture and Recreation, Town of LaSalle