A little over a year ago, the Recreation Department promised to raise money by finding revenue sources for our pool. We were told that the City's Recreation Staff would be looking into yearly memberships, water exercise classes, (we have that with wonderful Sally Welsh) US Navy Seals rentals, summer camp rentals, and Party package rentals where there "would be plenty of money to be made."
Last night we got the doom and gloom report which was no surprise. After all, this is Michael Bronstein's "white elephant." Juan Ruiz's report said that our pool is opened 5 days a week, part time. Cost to operate is $1,043 a day but we are only averaging $48 a day for those 5 days. The yearly operating costs are going up by $33,038 from $271,088 and our gate revenue is estimated at $37,591.16. What he failed to talk about last night was ECA Swim Club that is over and above the "gate revenue" that rents our facility on the following terms:
East Coast Aquatic Club, a company that is under a license agreement with the city (we use license agreements now so that the city can just bypass the mayor) to use our pool. The fee structure is as follows:
$1,500 a month until membership reaches 60
$1,800 a month until membership reaches 100
$2,200 a month thereafter
We have no idea if their membership is growing or how much money the city now receives.
The pool is not advertised and many people who visit our beach don't even know we have a pool. You can't see it from the road. Scott Maxwell asked all the right questions last night regarding our beach maintenance and our pool. This is a great asset. We just now need to let people know about it.
17 comments:
I don't think the ECA Swim Club is over and above the "gate revenue." If we only average $48 a day for those 5 days, the maximum would be $12,500 for the year.
Do we have private groups who rent the pool averaging $2,000 per month?
The ECA Swim club rents our pool. I would not classify their rental rate as "gate revenue." However, anything is possible. One thing that we do know, it wasn't discussed. The other thing we know, with that, it no where meets our expenses. This is an amenity and we have always known that expenses would not be met.
Next, why don't we have private groups renting our pool? Parties?
How much does the Osborne gym cost to run, how much to the athletic fields cost, how much do we spend on Bryant Park? The pool is an asset and the City powers keep harping on it (yet they never raise similar issues with other non-revenue producing parks and rec in our city) and trying to make it fail.
I don't understand why the City hates the pool, it is a wonderful, unique addition to the city. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children in Florida, so many of our children learned to swim at the pool. The city could make money off the pool if it wanted to, but it continues to undermine it and the the efforts of others who are trying to support it.
gate revenue in my mind is someone who actually pays to get into the pool, steps up to the cashier window and pays the fee. those who swim for the club pay the club not at the gate.
I know how to get the word out. Put a Banner on the Gulfstream.
The pool could be a real asset if the City wanted it to. Get rid of Juan!!!!!!! There are many people who could make that pool a success. It is destined to fail with him. He is FAILING in his job preformance with not just the pool either.
@7:36 your remarks are ignorant and are not based on any facts. Pools do not make money and are very expensive to operate. The best outcome is limit the loss. This blog pushed to open the pool and said its financial situation should be treated like the gym, a amenity. Well you got what you wanted Ms. Lynn, but when you found out the real costs you ran for the hills and blamed the comm. and staff. What happened to you and your buds support? Fundraisers? Purchase of memberships? You and people like you failed the pool.
Lynn, "could make money off the pool if it wanted to" is a ridiculous statement. How? Your save the pool group was a flop. 271 thou. to operate and you loud so called supporters did not buy one membership.
7:56 and 8:23...are you having a bad day? Got up on the wrong side of the bed?
Ran for the hills? What in H are you talking about? This is an amenity and it needs to be marketed. It is not a money maker and never has been and never will be just like most other amenities we have.
And what "membership" are you talking about? As I don't know about it, can't really comment. Just another thing not advertised well I guess.
We have no control over pool operations/costs and have no control over staff whose job it is to attract people to our pool.
so, anonymous at 7:56, under your scenario, since i didn't go to any highschool football games this year and lake Worth lost its season, am I responsible because I didn't pay for a ticket? Come up with a better blame game. No wonder we're in trouble with people who think as you do. It's everyone's fault other than the people who get the big salaries and retirement benefits who aren't doing their damn job. Is that it?
Where's the bully? Just wondering if Bornstein and his entire staff bought memberships.
The city has tried very hard to prevent the pool from succeeding. They have turned away people who offer to pay money to lease it. Good money. They want it to fail. They have from the beginning. WHY?
I agree we 12.31, and the big question is Why, why does the city want to kill the pool? There has to be some plan b (with a payoff to someone) otherwise their disdain for the pool makes no sense. They don't repeatedly badger and belittle the management of our other recreational facilities which all cost a pretty penny too. Sounds like its time for a FOIA request.
What would you be finding out with an FOIA?
7:56 this is 7:36 and name calling is childish, especially since I have a degree that would make you envious. What I said about Juan is absolutely the truth. He makes very little effort other than to show up for work. Even that could be doubted since he rarely is accessible. Now go back to your sandbox and try to be pleasant.
5:02, probably for the best that you keep your degree and yourself anonymous. Sandbox is fun but you already know all about that.
COME ON, YOU GUYS!!!
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