Brennan Park Recreation Centre is bulking up.
The District of Squamish has taken the first steps to build a fitness gym at the facility. At its Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday (March 27), council set aside $45,000 to create a pre-design for the suggested 4,250-square-foot fitness room.
I think it is important to have a new, modern fitness centre to generate revenue, said Tim Hoskin, the district's director of recreation. We have consistently heard public demand [for this] over the years.
The gym, which would be placed on the south side of the aquatic centre overlooking the pool, is anticipated to cost $1.49 million. But that money would quickly be returned, Hoskin said.
District officials estimate the facility will net $2.4 million in admission fees over a 10-year period. The money derived from admission fees would increase over time, but would average $458,000 over the first five years in operation. Factoring in operating costs, approximately 4.5 years into its operation the gym would reach a break-even point, Hoskin noted.
Fitness centres are known to be cash cows, Hoskin noted. The District of Summerland, in the Okanagan Valley, spent $80,000 on a gym that generated $100,000 in its first year.
The gym idea was laid out on council's table three years ago, Coun. Patricia Heintzman said. This time around, she wants to make sure it doesn't slip off.
This is revenue we are missing out on, she said.
The gym could be built next year if the budget and council permit it, said Cameron Chalmers, the district's general manager of community services.
In the meantime, the recreation centre might receive a bit of a facelift. Lawmakers also approved in principle $136,500 worth of renos for the 40-year-old facility. Those include quick fixes such as new lobby and arena flooring, signage and a children's play area.
I really want to make Brennan Park [Recreation Centre] the place to be; a community hub, Hoskin said.
Council is expected to consider giving final approval for the gym and renovations during its 2012 budget deliberations.
