Ark Valley News - Consultant: Rec center self-sustaining

An artist's drawing shows play equipment and a lazy river in the indoor aquatics area of the proposed recreation center.

Consultant: Rec center self-sustaining
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: October 15, 2020

The proposed recreation center and swimming pool in Valley Center could cost more than $841,000 per year to operate, but consultants say it could bring in enough revenue to pay for itself.

As voters in Valley Center prepare to vote on a proposed 1 percent sales tax to help pay for the construction of the $10.5 million facility in Lions Park, consultants Lamp Rynearson and LK Architecture are continuing to refine the proposed plan and provide more information to the public about it.

The facility would include an indoor gymnasium and pool as well as group exercise and fitness areas.

A walking track would circle the gym. The indoor pool would include a zero-entry play area as well as a small lazy river for floating. It would include enough space for four lanes of lap swimming.

The proposal also calls for the renovation of the existing outdoor pool.

Backers of the new facility hope its ability to cater to a variety of ages and activities will, in the short term, help pass the 1 percent sales tax proposal and, if approved, to bring in revenue to operate the facility.

Kyle McCawley with Lamp Rynearson estimated spending about $701,000 on operations and commodities, including personnel and water, and about $92,500 on annual maintenance.

To offset the costs, McCawley estimated that the facility could generate $465,00 in annual membership fees and $329,000 in program fees.

Family fees to access the facilities are estimated to be $15 to $18 daily, $35 to $50 monthly and $350 to $400 annually. Individual adult fees would be $5 to $8 daily, $20 to $34 monthly and $150 to $200 annually. Youth fees would be $3 to $5 daily, $10 to $15 monthly and $125 to $135 annually.

McCawley said the estimates in total revenue are based on 10 percent of Valley Center citizens buying memberships and 7 percent of USD 262 residents not living in the city.

"We do feel like we're on the conservative (side) of revenue projections," he said.

Other revenue would come from group and corporate rentals, aquatic rentals, facility rentals, swim lessons, fitness classes and personal training as well as concessions from vending machines.

The hours of operation could be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

If the 1 percent sales tax is approved, the school district will be asked to increase the Valley Center Recreation Commission's property taxes by 2 mills to help pay for construction of the facility, which could start in the spring of 2023.

The city estimates the sales tax could raise about $350,000 each year, while the property tax could raise another $300,000 per year.