Owerri is a fast growing city and its growth is largely attributed to the role it assumed after the Nigerian civil war as the commercial nerve (activities) centre of Imo State. The study gives an insight on the nature and condition of the recreational properties in Owerri. The global economic meltdown and its resulting problems have not contributed in a small measure in making real property management and development a difficult task. The project work is aimed at looking at the various classes of recreational properties its condition and its availability in Owerri. In order to get adequate data needed for this work the following methods were adopted questionnaires, interview and personal observation.

Data collected from both secondary and primary sources were analyzed through the use of percentage distribution and degrees to facilitate the comparison of the various responses from the respondents. Reasonable recommendations were made towards improvement of recreational facilities and its property management in Owerri.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Approval page ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgment iv

Abstract v

Table of contents vi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study 1

1.2 Statement of the study 3

1.3 Aim and objective of the study 4

1.4 Scope of the study 5

1.5 Limitation of the study 5

1.6 Definitions of terms 7

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.2 Meaning of property 8

2.3 Concept of recreational property development 9

2.4 Development of recreational property in Owerri 10

2.5 Recreational property development determinant 12

2.6 Recreational facilities in Owerri 12

2.7 Population and recreational facilities 14

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 research methodology 15

3.2 Sources of data 15

3.3 Method/techniques of data collection 16

3.4 Sampling method 16

3.5 Area of the study 17

3.6 Research design 17

3.7 Population of the study 17

3.8 Method of data presentation and analysis 18

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Data presentation and analysis 19

4.2 Analysis on response questionnaire 19

4.3 Population 20

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Summary of findings 24

5.2 Conclusion 25

5.3 Recommendation 26

References

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Nigerian government, in her quest to diversity, her mono economy, which is heavily dependent on petroleum export, has made efforts to take some measures in promoting development of recreational properties/ facilities, the various professional vocations engaged by Nigeria of old from the bedrock of our common socio cultural norms.

Men and women who are in such vocations were gathered and restricted to their place of work daily and having only occasional breaks hourly per day or in minutes as the case may be. They are also allowed little holiday on days marked out for public holiday and also day’s for religious festivals. They also had limited re creational activities as they had little or no time left having satisfied the mandatory requirement of work and some personal and domestic chores.

Most of the traditional leisure times and activities such as playing of games, wresting, storytelling and social visitation to place indoors or in locations closer to homes some of the social activities like child naming ceremony, laying to rest of an aged person, weddings and various town festival gave opportunities for singing, dreaming and dancing which were in essence entertainment of recreational states.

Due to the mono economy of the country the socio- cultural life style of the people demands for modern version of entertainment recreation and its development.

Factors that encourage these are;

Nigeria is on the threshold of agro- industrial break through.
The economy is industrially oriented therefore the need for leisure and recreation becomes inevitable amongst the inhabitants.

Recreation as recognized is one of the parameter in which human development is based. Recreation has been provided to contribute to physical mental and psychological development of mankind and as such fastens social integration Abiri (1985).

Recreation activities have changed in practice and character some years ago but still performs similar functions. And its development in Nigeria, anywhere in Nigerian cities / towns has taken a great dimension. In recent times especially these days when technology is on the increase, the need and demand for leisure facilities in our recreation centers as a transient phenomenon has been hampered by lack of intensive effort in the maintenance and management of the facilities.

In Owerri recreational facilities and developments is also experiencing changes like others parts of the country. Individuals enjoy certain recreational activities especially those that takes them outside their homes, life table/ lawn remis, swimming and site seeing etc. examination of recreational properties in Owerri has revealed the state of the facilities and its effects on the users both citizen and visitors in Owerri and Imo State at large.

The state has not attracted up to the present any significant share of recreational tourism due to the following reasons.

High cost of tourism development
Short supply of basic accommodation facilities for the tourists
Poor development of transport and communication network.

However, Imo State has significant tourist attract but most of them are located Owerri municipal examples are beaches, lakes and rivers named after their location e.g. Ogute Njaba, Nworie, and Otammiri).

The exploitation of the beaches, lakes and rivers can be forms of relaxation and sporting activities in a very high standard.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

Currently, consideration is given to the need to conserve the natural environment and its development for recreation and tourist use, in form of proper management of refuse and its disposal, controlling the continuo felling down of trees and also the control of the abuse of rives and lakes in the absence of pipe- born water for variety of domestic purses and consequently polluting them and making them unfit for recreational purposes/ uses.

The pleasure that can be derived from life in a dynamic industrializing society which can only be derived from relaxation facilities and recreational properties, creates the need for laid out sports and facilities, indoor recreational activities, open space for site seeing and hotels for relaxation.

The development policy of recreational properties should therefore be defined in terms of;

The market segment in which the industries in general and hotels particular should aim.
The character of the main and supporting facilities that should be provided.
The quality of service to be offered
The size of the establishment and the phase for their development.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study focuses on pecuniary the need for recreational properties development in Nigeria using Owerri as a case study area.

The objectives of the study include;

Identification of recreational properties in Owerri.
Determination of their adequacy in meeting the demands of the people.
To suggest ways and means of efficient management of the facilities in social and, economic terms.

1,4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study in concerned with the development of recreational properties in Owerri the municipal to be précised. Owerri in general was initially characterized by rural settlement in the early years, but ahs enjoyed development due to the urban expansion. The researchers examine the extent of the recreational property development and operational efficiency of infrastructural facilities,with the area of study which is Owerri municipal/ urban in Imo State.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of the study is to examine the recreational property development, which will reveal the state of the recreational facilities as well as the impact it ahs on the people at Owerri municipal.

Government and all policy formulators will by this be informed on the gravity of the problem associated with such recreational facilities and also be guided by suggestions and recommendation and examination derived from these work for better result.

Similarly the citizens of Owerri and Imo at large will benefits from the well developed, managed and maintained recreational facilities.

1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

“Gold is never found on the surface, therefore we need not be told that some factors, militated against the success of these work, though the research endeavored to accommodate them.

This are some of the constraints inherent in the course of carrying out the research include, among others the peculiar nature of property development which is not like commercial markets where goods and tangible items and not like property market, information are not easily circulated among management surveyors.

Vital information required by the researcher from practicing estate surveyors and values were delayed due to pressure of work and other commitment facing them during the time the research was carried out of course, the research cannot omitted the serious limitation of time, the problem encountered include the vastness of the topic, scarcity of literature on the topic, problems associated with data collection and most of all financial, constraint. However, despite all these constraints, efforts were made to give adequate treatment to the research work. Such zones can be used for public institution (collages, universities, churches etc) as well as for country clubs golf course private clubs and other sports facility.

SPORTS FILED AND LOCAL PARKS

Should be planned as park of the zoning for public and residential areas.

DISTRICT SPORTS CENTERS

Should be planned to provide a large population with multiple sport facilities (football field, hockey fields, swimming, posts, tennis counts basketball count etc).

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Development section 2 (2) of the British town/ counting planning act 1947 defined development as “ the carrying out of building engineering, planning or other operation in, on over or under land, or the marking of any materials change in the sue of any building or other lord. This, there will be development either if an “operation” is carried out. Often a project involves development because there will be one or more operation and a materials changes at we as well.

Horman P. Miller (1968. 165) defined recreation as activities engage in purposely with free happy natural attitudes full of fun and expression”. According to him it is any activities which one engage in because of an inner desire and not because of outer compulsion.