Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/12/2009

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CASE # 3 CITY OF ANOKA AQUATIC CENTER FUNDING REQUEST By: Mark Riverblood, Parks Supervisor Background: For the past 11 years, the City of Anoka has offered the City of Ramsey's pool goers, 'resident' rates at Anoka's pool or aquatic center, in exchange for an annual contribution. This contribution from the Ramsey's Lawful Gambling Fund to Anoka equates to less than $44,000 for those years. Anoka identifies $55,000 in 'savings' to Ramsey residents for pool use and swimming lessons during this same period. For 2009, the City of Anoka is offering the same arrangement as last year for $4,000. Attached is the following information with which to evaluate this proposal: . Cover letter outlining the program . Historical spreadsheet . Area comparison of fee structure . Aquatic Center hours and fees Observations: Over the past years, the Park and Recreation Commission have offered differing opinions on this value to City Council. The purpose of this case is to provide a recommendation to Council for year 2009. The Commission discussed this topic in depth at the February lih, 2009 meeting and identified the questions below. The responses follow each question. . Does Andover or Elk River' YMCA's offer the purchase of resident rates for lessons of season passes? No, patrons are either members or not. There may be some promotional day pass rates at Andover's facility however. . Is a survey feasible to ascertain resident's support for this program of subsidizing preferred rates for Ramsey residents on the City's web site? Yes, however the 'findings' would not be scientific, and therefore may not be conclusive. . How is the resident rate advertised at the pool, and how else are Ramsey residents made aware of th is program? The resident rate for Andover and Ramsey residents is not posted at the facility. Persons only purchasing day passes are not specifically made aware of this opportunity. However,