- December 27, 2024
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By Dr. Douglas Courtney
As a longtime member of the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club, it disheartens me to consider its closure. However, I must concede the current analysis by the administration is correct. Closing the facility for limited use for K-12 students would cut operational costs to a required $30,000 per year. As a taxpayer I cannot condone spending $115,700 of Adult Education funds to keep the facility open.
But here is the rub: It doesn’t appear that the facility has had opportunity to overcome this deficit. The current policies and procedures have been heavy on cutting costs, but not promoting attendance.
It can be argued that fitness facilities are competing effectively against BTSRC. But the argument would also have to be made that the number of potential fitness participants is a finite constant divided by the number of facilities available. This is not true. As Flagler County has grown, so has the number of residents seeking facilities. There are enough potential members in Flagler County to make BTSRC a viable facility. It is the only facility with a year-round heated pool, spa, gym, tennis courts, fitness programs and onsite classrooms — a strong asset unable to be matched by any commercial facility.
The current policies and procedures have been heavy on cutting costs, but not promoting attendance.
The lack of membership is a result of lack of leadership on the issue. For years, membership renewals went out in late November. But not last year. No renewals were sent out at all because membership fees were not set until late January. When fees could finally be accepted, the memberships were drastically changed to a tier system paid month-to-month instead of one fee for the full year. These actions alone severely reduced this year’s revenues and memberships.
Additionally, personnel, programs and times of operation have been cut — all ostensibly to cut costs. But each reduction created a concurrent loss in memberships creating even greater expenses, which needed to be covered leading to additional cuts.
Under the administration’s analysis, $116,000 would have to be generated to maintain the facility for the rest of the year. Or, in simpler terms, 464 memberships valued at $250 each would need to be sold. This is not unattainable, as current membership is approximately 460 individuals. Each of which would like to remain at the facility. Each of which is currently prohibited from purchasing said membership or any type of membership. Which begs the question why the School Board wishes to spend $30,000 of taxpayers’ funds to mothball the facility. Maybe if the administration and board had spoken to the members, instead of only each other, this solution would have appeared earlier.
Some members are aware discussions continue with the YMCA and may bear fruit in the new year. To them, it would seem ongoing membership would be an enticement to the YMCA. Why, then, are we dismantling this asset? And if the Y chooses not to contract, what then BTSRC? Will it go the way of the Corporate 1 facility, a darkened hulk of lost taxpayer funds eventually demolished and forgotten?
It would be a shame to let an asset that allows the board to show and communicate directly to the voters their vision and commitments to be abandoned. It is an asset that cannot be duplicated easily. Still the current numbers are correct. We would need leadership to alter them. I look forward to recognizing it.
Dr. Douglas Courtney is a member of the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club.
