HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-X 1981-04-16 Community Services Committee R
R E P O R T
TO: Councillor nTaurice Prout and
Members of the Community Services Committee
FROM: Thomas A. fanning, Director
Joseph P. Caruana, Deputy Director
H. Fred Payne, Facilities Manager
Department of Community Services
SUBJECT: Newcastle Fitness Centre
(Operation Review)
DATE : April 16 , 1981
i
The Newcastle Fitness Centre was opened to the public on
January 31st , 1981 . As of March 31st , actual expenditures
were $18 , 583. 02 and actual revenue was $23 , 984 . 56 .
In reviewing the first ten (10) weeks of operation of the
Newcastle Fitness Centre , the following recommendations are
made for consideration.
(a) P,temberships
The major area of concern related to the 1981 operating
budget is �-7embership Revenue.
The budget projection was estimated at 01, 500 . (revenue)
for various memberships available . To date , approx.
7, 000. in revenue has been received for memberships
and we cannot see how we will meet our budget allocation .
Recommendation
That we consider offering the following in 1982 .
Annual Memberships 12 months
Bi Annual Memberships 6 months
Quarterly Memberships 3 months
(A new fee structure will be introduced in
the Fall of 1981 to be implemented in 1982 . )
(b) Staffing �\
Through observation and consulting staff , it appears
that there is a need for a full time cashier/receptionist
at the Fitness Centre .
The present situation is such that we are employing
three (3) part time cashiers at a maximum of 24 hours
per week each. One problem which has already occured,
Newcastle Fitness Centre
(Operation Review) Page 2 .
is in the event of illness of a cashier, another must be
called in as a replacement . This would mean that it is
possible for a part time employee to accumulate more than
24 hours per week which conflicts with the unions local
agreement , Article 2-201(Scope) .
Another concern is that administration staff duties are
constantly being interrupted to answer phones, sell tickets
and admit patrons when a cashier is not on duty.
Recommendation
It is our opinion that a full time cashier is necessary,
however, we feel it is impossible to acc_opVrodate this position
in our present budget . Preparations will be made for
provisions in the 1982 operating budget .
(c) Budget
The attached breakdown sheet ( information supplied by
computer printout - HAL 69) is a little deceiving. The
reason being that we did not reach our quota of memberships
during the initial operating; period. Membership sales have
dropped drastically and we do not anticipate a recovery.
Vie are already revising the fee structure for 1982 which
should compensate a lack of memberships next year (as
mentioned previously) .
Other revenues of the budget have exceded our expectations and
should compensate (minimally) the lack of membership revenue.
I
On the whole the facility is being used by a great number
of citizens throughout the municipality. In our many visits
to the pool , there is no doubt that an essential need is
being met .
(d) General Comments :
Maintenance - We are pleased with the operations of the facility
and the staff involved are carrying out their duties in an
efficient manner .
Programmes - Miss Jane Reynolds, Program/Aquatic Director
is performing her duties as expected and is well involved in
the overall system at the centre.
Programmes are operating at capacity in most areas and are well
received by the public . Plans are in process for developing
specialized programmes ie . Scuba, Snorkling etc. and should be
incorporated by the Pall of 1981. At this time all programmes
should be operating at a high level offering a variety of
programmes to all ages .
i
Newcastle Fitness Centre
(Operation Review) Page 2 .
In closing, we would like to point out , that general interest in
the facility is good. However, in discussions with many taxpayers
by all staff involved, the major areas of concern are as follows :
Pool Depth - It was staff ' s opinion that a depth of 3 ' 6" in the
shallow end would be excessive for optimum use of the pool . This
point was a major concern of the Director and his opinion was
voiced during preliminary planning stages of the facility, however,
those concerns were over looked.
Staff will be preparing a future report on the possibility of using
portable platforms to lower the pool depth for children.
Fitness Equipment - Probably the most voiced opinion of the
public is the fact that there is literally no fitness equipment in
the facility. Again, this was a concern of staff and provisions
for a minimal amount of equipment was requested through the
contingency budget ( furnishings) , however, these items were deleted.
It is our opinion that this is a direct reflection on the lack of
memberships .
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Fanning, irector
Ff,
ua
l t i` l
Jose .` Caruana, Deputy Director
H. Fred P y e, Facilities Manager
/sa
CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
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FUNCTION: Recreation & Cultural Services
,n
1981 CURRENT BUDGET
�, .
DEPART,•1ENT:Towm of Newcastle
Fitness- Centre
Account Number
Description
19S1 Budget
1981 Actual
7607-002-004
Wages — Hourly Rated
73,320.
9,501.83
010
0 H I P
160.
011
0 M E R S
284.30
012
C P P
1,4-00.
112.67
013
U I C
210.13
015
Group Inx.
60.57
017
1%,orkmens Compensation
573. 19
101
Office Supplies
1,000.
86.57
105
Heat
18,400.
2,122.57
106
Light
12,500.
1,359.9- 7
107
Water
15,100.
472.49
108
Caretaking Supplies
3,500.
108.08
201
Memberships $ Assoc.
300.
203
Travel.
300.
150 '
Materials & Supplies (Pool)
6,500.
835:03
205
Telephone & Communications
900.
106.63
206
Advertising
3,000.
374.40
209
Facility Maintenance (Equipment & Building)
7,000,
218.62
214
Insurance
3.500.
711:00
260
Vending Maching Supplies
4,000.
693.70
290
Miscellaneous
2,500.
591.27
Expenditures
162,110.
18,583.02
7607-801-004
Memberhhips
61,500.
6,815.00
802
Swimming
5,000.
11,033.25
803
Vending Machine Sales
6,000.
670.00
804
Miscellaneious Revenue
500.
429.31
805
Rental Revenue (Facility)
251700.
435.00
806
Squash Revenue
1,000.
3,330.00
807
Locker Revenue
1,000.
1,272.00
Revenue
100,700.
23,984.56
Total
61,410.-
5,401.54+