HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-2009 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope held a special meeting,
Wednesday, March 11zt"hat 5:10 PM at the Volanta Street Park to hear
a presentation by Thomas Hospital on a proposal for a joint wellness -
recreation program using the city's newly built recreation center.
Present: Charlie Langham, Chairman; Jim Godfrey, Hank Mullins,
Jenny Douglass, Derek Thomas, Sherry Sullivan, Mike Ford, Eddie Boyett
Mayor Tim Kant, Betty Rivenbark, Secretary. Absent: Vann Saltz, John
Baker. Guests from Thomas Hospital were Phil Cusa, Kerry Flowers,
Howard Holcombe, Bart Benson, Tim Ogletree
Phil Cusa addressed the members first saying that even though a hospital
and city recreation group joining together like this has not been done in the
southeast before when it was first talked about the hospital and city had
researched the program and found some cities in the north where this
joining together was being done and looked at their operations and even
though it did not come to fruition they are here today to make a formal
proposal for this joining together. He said the hospital's Wellness Center
which was opened in 1994 had capped out at about 1500 members and
they would like to expand the program joining with the city to bring health,
fitness and wellness to the citizens. He turned the meeting over to Kerry
who had given a handout to the members and also made a slide
presentation (proposal on file). After the presentation questions were asked
by the board members regarding Sunday opening, fees, Jazzercise. All
participated in a general discussion about equipment, city expenses, utilities
rates to be charged and they were asked about their main participants, who
were middle-aged to seniors. They commented that no therapy or rehab
patients would be transferred to our facility. A lease and term were asked
about, community concerns were expressed by the board members in that
we don't want to compete, also use of the pool. No decision was made,
they were thanked for their proposal and left. Further discussion was held
by the recreation board members and a proposal presented by Eddie Boyett
to the Recreation Board wherein the Recreation Department proposed to
manage the new Fairhope Recreation Facility in a professional and
courteous manner. He said they will provide recreational opportunities to
Fairhope residents of all ages and income levels, offering a wide variety of
fitness opportunities, health education and fitness related classes. The City
can purchase the equipment necessary to operate the facility for
approximately $200,000. It would also require hiring a Director of
Operations, one additional full-time staff and nine part-time employees. The
approximate personnel costs would be $133,000 yearly, plus benefits for the
full- time staff. Projecting 1,000 members within the first year of operation,
projected income would be $360,000 in the first year or $30,000 monthly.
Financial projections were also provided (copy in file). After Eddie's
presentation and discussion by the members, a motion was made by Hank
Mullins to not embrace Thomas Hospital's proposal , to endorse the City of
Fairhope's operation of the new facility and begin buying equipment and
hiring personnel. Jenny Douglass 2nd the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Under old business, the use of Stimpson Field for a community park was
discussed briefly..no action was taken.
The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:20 PM motion having been made by
Jim Godfrey and unanimously carried.
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