HomeMy WebLinkAboutReview Costs of Family Swim Passes.pdf
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Ron Dingman, Park and Recreation Director
Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Review Costs of Family Swim Passes
MEETING DATE: November 16, 2009
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action
RECOMMENDATION: Provide staff with direction on Family Swim Pass fee revision.
BACKGROUND: On March 23, 2009, staff presented resolution 4154, establishing fees for
Recreation and Aquatic programs to the commission. The commission approved that resolution.
Since then, there has been some concern expressed over the new cost of a Family Swim Pass for
the pool.
Staff is seeking direction from the commission for making revisions to the resolution and
possibly reducing the cost of the Family Swim Pass.
FISCAL EFFECTS: Reduction in the Family Swim Pass fee will reduce revenue generated
from the sales of these family passes.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Attachments:
March 23, 2009 Commission Memo
Report compiled on 11/10/09
218
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Ron Dingman, Park and Recreation Director
Anna Rosenberry, Finance Director
Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 4154 Establishing Recreation and Aquatic Fees Charged
MEETING DATE: March 23, 2009
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 4154
BACKGROUND: We have evaluated charges for Recreation and Aquatic programs and
determined that adjustments to two of the fees are necessary.
Recommended Fee
Changes:
· Recreation Program Fees
· Swim Center Pool Pass Fees
No Fee Changes: · Swimming Pool General Admission Fees
· Swimming Lesson Fees; change in class length.
Recreation Programs Fees: In FY09, recreation programs cost the City approximately $102
per hour of programming, averaging $6.40 per participant/hour (based on average class size of
16 participants in 2008.)
219
Recreation Fee – Per participant, per program hour
Current Rate $2.50 per participant/hr
Proposed Rate $3.50 per participant/hr
We currently price Recreation Programs based on a cost of $2.50 per participant/hour with
materials included in that charge. This is a general fund subsidy of $3.90 per participant/hour;
or a subsidy of 60% of total costs.
Increasing the hourly charge to $3.50 puts the city’s subsidy at $2.90 per participant/hour, or
45% of total costs. For out-of-city residents, the charge increases 20%, to $4.20 per
participant/hour, reducing the subsidy to $2.20 (35% subsidy.) See Exhibit 1.
In the coming year, we will continue to improve on our recreation class “scholarships.” Over the
years, free participation has been granted to children on a need basis without much structure or
tracking. We will be developing a scholarship policy and program. We believe this is the
appropriate method to ensure that children in need are not left out of important recreation
opportunities, and will be tracking scholarship participation going forward.
Swim Center Pool Passes: We are proposing a change to rates for 1-year Swim Passes; basing
them on a standardized method of 56 uses per year at the applicable admission rate. These
prices are more reflective of use and national charges for swim passes.
1-Year Adult Swim Passes
Golden, CO = $385 Stiener, UT = $240 Reno, NV = $300 Bend, OR = $384
A pass holder is likely use the pool a minimum of 2 to 3 times per week, or 104 to 156 times per
year. Current pass rates only recover the cost of approximately 40 visits. The proposed Family
Annual Pass fees are priced as follows; 1st adult at full price / each additional family member at
½ price. The Family example is based on 2 adults and 2 youth. At the current family rate, and
assuming 2 adults and 2 youth, we recover approximately 16 visits.
220
Swim Passes Adult Youth Seniors (60+) Family (of 4)
Current $150 $110 $130 $230
Proposed $225 $170 $140 $508
Swimming Lesson Fees: Swim Lesson fees have remained the same but classes have been
reduced from 50 minutes to 30 minutes. This is also more reflective of national rates and class
times. By reducing the class time, students receive more focused benefit and there is more time
available for other programs such as lap swimming and water aerobics, which will increase
revenue.
Swim Lessons Price per class, 30 minutes
NO CHANGE in price, time reduced. $5.00
Swimming Pool General Admission Fees: Daily admission fees are proposed to remain the
same as they are in line with other pool admission around Montana and the west.
Admission –
Daily
Adult Youth Seniors (60+) Family (of 4)
NO
CHANGE
$4.00 $3.00 $2.50 $10.00, with
$2.00 for each
additional
member
In 2008 both City pools combined generated $400,000 in revenue for swim lessons, groups, and
admissions. An additional $20,000 was generated from locker rentals, parties, vending
machines, and merchandise sales; for a total of $420,000 in revenues.
Increasing the swim pass rates puts the city’s subsidy of Aquatics Programs at 42% of total costs.
See Exhibit 2.
221
FISCAL EFFECTS:
Recreation Programs: Based on 2008 program participation, increasing the fee as
recommended is estimated to bring in an additional $19,000 plus approximately $6,000 in
materials costs to the general fund. General Fund subsidy of Recreation program s would
decrease from approximately 60% to 45%.
Aquatics Programs: Based on historic pass sales, increasing swim pass fees as recommended is
estimated to bring in an additional $42,000 to the general fund. General Fund subsidy of
Aquatics programs would decrease from approximately 47% to 42%.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________ ____________________________
Ron Dingman, Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager
Attachments: Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Resolution No. 4154
Report compiled on 3/17/09
222