CivicPlus Recreation Management Reviews

“savings look good on paper only”

Pros

Better value than some software packages.

Cons

While the software may appear cost-effective initially, its severe reliability issues and performance lags have led to significant financial losses, undermining its overall value. (One simple POS sale can take up to 5 minutes, with a line stretching out the door 30 people deep.)

“user-friendly with lots of potential”

Pros

The ease of use compared to other rec programs.

Cons

There are still bugs in League Manager. We use this to schedule games at 13 baseball fields and 9 schools. We still have issues with double headers and not allowing us to manipulate the system to our needs.

“support has been excellent”

Pros

Amazing project manager. Very structured implementation process. Feature rich software and great customer support after go-live.

Cons

limited capabilities on mobile version of back-office application using iOS devices (iPads and iPhones). We overcame this using Microsoft Surface Pro tablets.

“Clear Booking and Accounting”

Pros

Online booking for facilities - the ease and clarity of accounting for our contractors and staff

Cons

After talking with some other cities we found what we are paying for the product is a little higher than others. We even have been told by CivicRec that we are a "premier customer" which I think they mean to say as a compliment but can feel like we are just a customer that is paying more.

“No fixes given”

Pros

Although the software attempts to ease operations, it is heavily undermined by a multitude of bugs and unhelpful technical support making it more of a hindrance than a help.

Cons

From Facility rentals to Program set up we have encountered copious amounts of issues errors and bugs that exist in the software. Tech support frequently offers work arounds instead of actual solutions to the issues with their product.

“too difficult for customers”

Pros

Might be great for large cities with many facilities and programs.

Cons

Main complaints from customers are that it is too difficult to use and they also don't like that so much personal information is requested upon registration. Front office complaints are it has too much on the individual pages (filters, search parameters required) that it is overwhelming and no ability to send a clear and concise invoice. Receipts are confusing with much unneeded information on them and no way to simplify or customize it to our needs. Requests to support leads to work orders that go on a list and have yet to be touched. There is more but I don't have the time to list.

“mobile site does not work”

Pros

Honestly and I'm sorry to say this but nothing. It barely works.

Cons

The software is unusable as a mobile web page because the left vertical menu bar with the date selection for making campsite reservations does not exist and there is no Android app to mitigate this issue. When you select desktop site on a mobile device you can then select dates but the subsequent list or grid is missing more than 100 campsites out of 236 total at Fort Desoto in Pinellas County Florida. This is not because the sites are already reserved as that is addressed with red color coding. They simply do not exist in the list or grid views. I tried the same process on my desktop and encountered the identical problem with over 100 campsites missing completely across multiple dates. Additionally you cannot view available sites at all without creating a user profile and logging in.

“Mirrored Registration”

Pros

The software allowed us to easily transition to online registration and reservations. It's simple and easy for our part timers to pick up as well as the public. It also mirrors our city's website so it provides a consistent look for our end users.

Cons

Still have some kinks to work out that we find while working through things that come up. It's not as customizable to our programs as we would like (specifically with drop in programs) but we have found work arounds. The implementation/ building out was a lot of work but once it was done the software was easy to use.

“needs better booking tools”

Pros

CivicRec was a big leap forward from the previous system we used. What I like most about CivicRec is how efficiently it allows our agency to rollover hundreds of programs from previous sessions.

Cons

However, it doesnt have an interactive facilities booking calendar which is a feature that many of our customers have asked. This calendar would allow for customers to view the availability and book sports fields and park shelters. CivicRec also lacks a strong sports leagues management module.

“trainers used real facility examples”

Pros

I was very pleased with the customization of the software. Having multiple facilities, amenities and rates it was a lot to set up, however the customization was well worth it. The training was informative and the trainers were great at showing examples with our facilities, not just a mock up/sample facility. The functionality is great and very user friendly. There are multiple ways to set up a permit for example and although one method might be "preferred" by the trainers you can accomplish the same goal in at least three different ways. This is a benefit when you have multiple admins as each person may work with different set ups easier.

Cons

The set up although very customizable was also VERY intense. We have not fully begun using all of the product features due to the complexity of setting everything up prior to launch. The most impactful functionality that I feel is missing is one related to field rentals. Our property rents 3 soccer fields and a softball field and we rent them at an hourly rate of $10/hour or a league rate of $124 for 10 consecutive weeks (2 days/week, 2 hours per day max). In the set up of these facilities there is no way to set up the $124 rate. If I set the minimum rate of $124/block with 20 units = 1 block and then I set the min units to 20 and the max units to 20, if the user doesn't select all 20 days available within the permit the system breaks down the rate/hour. So, if a user only selects 19 days out of the 20 max they can schedule the system only charges them $117 instead of the $124 I want charged. The other function that I wish were available were a feature to provide the user with "if this - then that" questions. We have a trailer with tables and chairs and a bbq and other items for a household bbq/block party and we rent this to residents, however a lot of residents just want some of the chairs or some of the tables. It would be great if we could ask the user how many tables they are requesting. If they only need 3 of the 20 we have then we could possibly rent out the other 17 to another resident, rather then having all items unavailable if one user just takes a few