ADDENDUM to Diane Goodridge’s FY10 Budget Testimony, 12-18-08

One weakness of Howard County’s Aquatic Feasibility Study is its Opinion of Revenue for the 50-meter pool (Section 8: Operations).  When I first saw these figures I thought they seemed low, and if that is true, the report would underestimate revenue projections for this type of pool.  So I contacted surrounding counties as a point of comparison.  Here’s some of what I discovered in my search for revenue data in this DC/Baltimore aquatics market:

·         The report assumes 30 programming days for Swim Meet Rentals for a 50-meter pool.  This compares to 46 programming days in the 2008-09 season (Oct 2008-July 2009), that  the PGCo/MNCPPC Fairland Aquatic Center has scheduled for swim meets (i.e.,  # of days its 50-meter pool will be closed or have limited lanes). 

·         The report projects $36,000 net revenues annually for swim meet rentals, based on 30 programming days and based on $1,200 per meet (day).  This compares with Fairfax County’s Oak Marr RECenter’s  average swim meet rental cost of $6,300 for a 3-day “weekend” meet (typically: Friday night, Saturday, Sunday) which works out to $2,100 per “day” – vastly different from the report’s projected $1,200 per day.

·         Similar to the point above, when the Columbia Clippers (CA) paid PGCo/MNCPPC Fairland Aquatic Center for a meet rental in May 2007, they paid $2,560.00 for two days, but that was for partial use of the 50-meter pool (i.e., for 8-short course lanes), and there were 10 additional lanes still available for Fairlands’ other regular users (swim team, lessons, lap swimming).   Again, the $2,560 represents a partial rental, not a full rental.  Incidentally, there is also a wading pool (quite large) that was open to the public and a hot tub/spa open to the public as well, simultaneously while the Columbia Clippers were hosting their meet/paying their rental fee.

·         Fairfax County’s RECenters (n=9) operations are 100% cost recovered systemwide, plus their revenues must bring in 25% in additional funding for maintenance and repairs because they are not permitted to draw from county taxes as a source of funding.  In fact, the RECenter system nets about $300,000 in profits annually. 

·         The Fairland Aquatic Center (indoor 50-meter pool, 25-yard warm tank with a fountain and wheel chair ramp, and a hot tub) made a $43,600 PROFIT in FY08 (year ending June 30, 2008).   Its revenues for FY08 were $864,866 and its expenses were $821,266.  Aquatic Center manager Chip Harris attributes this ability to turn a profit due to the fact that the 50-meter pool is in a sports complex, where there are other leisure facilities.

·         PG County aquatics camps FILL UP IN 3 HOURS after opening!  This compares to other summer camps (non-aquatic) that take DAYS to fill.  That phenomenon reflects the demand for aquatics, according to Aquatic Center manager Chip Harris.

·         Aquatic Center manager Chip Harris says that out of the five budgets (gymnastics, aquatics, tennis, fitness and admin/support) of the Fairland Sports Complex, the aquatics programming is the LARGEST REVENUE PRODUCING one.

Like PG County’s Chip Harris,  Fairfax County’s Patty Paczan, Aquatic Section Manager, notes that this model – the RECenter or multi-use leisure facility which includes aquatics – is the key to success of aquatics operational efficiency.  Their RECenters combine various leisure activities with aquatics (fitness rooms, meeting rooms for classes, racquetball courts, etc.) under one roof to be able to be 100% self-supporting.  Some of their RECenters are more profitable than others, but their Oak Marr RECenter  aquatics enjoys immense popularity and community support, and the features offered are:  50-meter indoor pool, sauna, spa, fitness room, spin studio, meeting rooms, racquetball/handball/wallyball, as well as outdoor amenities of several soccer fields, and a golf complex which includes mini-golf.

 I would recommend the county aim to offer something that is completely lacking if it is to add any real value to the existing aquatics offerings in Howard County, such as a 50-meter indoor pool and a public indoor leisure pool with the play features kids desire but a large enough area for therapy classes during non-peak hours.  I’d also recommend offering non-aquatic amenities like a fitness room, exercise room, and a few small meeting rooms – and site this “multi-use leisure facility” on the empty lot adjacent to CA’s Hopewell Pool & Mini-WaterPark  -- and you’ve got a terrific synergistic draw for year-round aquatics and fitness!    

Alternatively, to redevelop a portion of the land in CA’s Hobbit’s Glen Golf Course to include an indoor 50-meter pool, would help bring higher utilization to that property.

A multi-use leisure facility (where leisure activities - such a golfing or a mini-water park already exist  -  with a new 50-meter pool is the right type of facility that would satisfy BOTH programming (high school swimming, lap swimming, aqua fitness, swim lessons, water safety, competitive swimming, masters, water polo, synchronized swimming, etc.) and leisure needs.  Plus, a 50-meter pool is the “right” size pool – with its 22 lane configuration – to accommodate many user groups simultaneously. 

CONTACTS in surrounding counties

Fairfax County:

Patty Paczan, Aquatic Section Manager (oversees all of Fairfax County’s public pools)

703-324-8548 or patty.paczan@...

PG County:

Chip Harris, Aquatics Manager for Fairland Aquatic Center