Growing together, and the recreation centre

I find that when I make multi purpose lots, the easiest way to get visiting sims to do things other than the original lot designated activities is to create clubs for the activity and place. So for Desert Bloom park I have a pool club. For my library with café I have a book club who drinks coffee and talk to each other. For my restaurant with cinema, I have a film club using it. That way visiting sims will use the place the way I designed it and not necessarily the way the game wants them to.