Agenda - 05-05-1997 - 10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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'- 11 Water that evaporates from the pools and water that is put onto the rink during resurfacing is not returned to the sewers. The Town of Hillsborough has tentatively agreed to estimates of the quantities involved, and we expect sewer charges on this water to be dropped, for an additional savings of approximately $3,500 per year. Once the sewer charges have been lowered, an annual total decrease in the water bill of about$19,900 thus far will have been realized. Management is currently searching for ways to reduce the consumption of water still further. Outside of this, further reduction in water costs would require that the Town of Hillsborough lower its rate to the SportsPlex, in recognition that the SportsPlex is a high volume consumer. Use of volunteers: In addition to keeping the paid personnel as trim as possible, we need to explore the systematic use of volunteers. Notable volunteers include Terry Bullin, who has donated many tens of hours and much energy keeping the Zamboni (ice-surfacing machine) in top shape, and the parent/administrators and coaches of the youth hockey leagues, an important branch of our business. Other efforts to make significant use of volunteers have generally died for lack of energy. With the proper input, we should be able to revive this activity in productive ways. Both the Board and management continue to look for areas in which costs can be cut. Realistically, the big ones have all probably been found, although cutting at the margins should still yield considerable aggregate savings. New Programs and expansions of existing programs We have two areas of program development ahead of us: 1) Continued development of programs for expanded use of the building during the weekday. During most of the year, this will have to mean programs for schools, the universities, and seniors. 2) Development of specific new programs or of program enhancements that will ensure that the popular times are utilized to the maximum by our clientele. The Board and RMSC have several plans for additional programs and program enhancements which will generate more revenue, increase activity during the weekday hours, and furnish service to the community. These vary in the amount of revenue they will generate directly. They will all increase revenue indirectly by 1) getting the SportsPlex more in the public mind and 2)building and reinforcing the notion for the using and non-using public alike that the SportsPlex is a place where fun can be had and good things are accomplished. Some of the highlights are: Fitness passes ("memberships") The single most productive thing we can do to boost revenues is to increase our numbers of fitness pass holders, i. e., users of the building on a subscription basis. The trend is definitely up since June, 1996(see Figure 6), and we believe the numbers are not at capacity. (Truly hefty increases, however, will probably have to await major expansion of the fitness and aerobics areas, a capital investment which is beyond our means at present.) In addition, we can probably design new types of passes. For example: Daytime fitness passes: A fitness pass at reduced rates for use only during the workday hours, say 6 AM to 4 PM. An ice-fitness pass: With a little expertise, ice skating is a great, low-impact cardiovascular workout. Perhaps with a fitness pass oriented to the ice only, we can encourage more regular use of the ice during the workday and in the summer months. Rock 'n' Skate Particularly during the Friday and Saturday evening public sessions in the winter months, the real aim of the mostly young clientele is more to socialize than to do any serious skating. In the summer months, when skating alone is unlikely to draw large crowds, the Board esteems that the need for a wholesome social activity continues to exist in the northern end of the County. We are working to fill that void with a teen night program called Rock 'n' Skate, in which area youth can come to skate and/or dance to live and recorded music. We would be extremely pleased if these sessions developed anywhere near the popularity the public skating sessions enjoy in the winter. Report to the Orange County Commissioners 5 May, 1997 page 9