Coming up in January 2023 the Meeker Recreation Center (MRC) will be recognizing 15 years of operation. ERBM is proud of the positive impacts this facility has had throughout our community over the last decade and a half, however, as with our physical bodies, as we age we become increasingly aware of the importance of investing into good upkeep and maintenance.
UPCOMING MAINTENANCE
Accordingly, MRC will be undergoing some important maintenance updates in the coming months. In October, there is a planned full exterior painting project matching the existing color scheme. In December, there will be some scheduled pool specific closures to accommodate renovation to outdated filtration/plumbing components, including closures for: leisure pool toys only–Dec. 4-5; full leisure pool–Dec. 6-7; lap pool–Dec. 8-9.
Then in May of 2023, a new dehumidification system for the pool areas will be installed to replace the building’s original undersized equipment, which will greatly enhance our staff’s ability to control this indoor environment according to established humidity and temperature setpoint standards. This closure will coincide with MRC’s annual preventative maintenance shutdown and is anticipated to last two weeks in the pool areas and one week for the entire recreation center. More details to come as those dates get closer.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Another service enhancement that ERBM has been working toward implementing is a website refresh along with online program registration capability. Starting with the launch of the Winter/Spring Line-Up you’ll be able to register at home or wherever you desire, at your own convenience whether we’re open or closed, whether you’re in your pajamas or Sunday best. This registration system will require you to sign-up for an online account. Our Guest Services team can assist with any questions you may have. In-person registration will also still be an option during MRC operating hours; however, phone-in registration will no longer be available as our agency works to efficiently deploy our staff’s time and service in a responsible manner.
FEE CHANGES
A final upkeep item that ERBM must contend with is program and service fee changes. ERBM, like many other local property tax dependent public entities, has experienced impactful reductions in this tax revenue stream in recent years, with over 30% reduction in the past three years alone (or the equivalent of $1-million less annually). ERBM has stewarded past surplus revenue well and maintains a healthy reserve fund balance to promote long term sustainability, and has been taking significant steps toward reducing ongoing costs over the past several years. However, ERBM has also greatly expanded operations over the past 15 years in response to resounding public input. In order to continue providing the robust programs and services our community enjoys, our fee structures must be evaluated and updated regularly in accordance with industry best practices and economic shifts. To this end, earlier this year the ERBM Board of Directors approved a cost recovery model that will include some of the first adjustments to our agency’s pricing strategies since their inception. Consequently, there will no longer be a membership blitz promotion the first two weeks of the year, rather the full MRC membership rates have been reduced overall by 25% and will remain consistent throughout the year. Other fees have been incrementally adjusted as well according to approved cost recovery ranges. Within this model, programs and services are generally priced along a continuum to recover a portion of their total cost according to the target amount of people served; with services and programs that have the broadest public impact (parks, community events, etc.) being heavily or completely subsidized; while those with a more individualized benefit (competitive programs, rentals, etc.) are priced to recover a higher percentage of costs. If you’re interested in learning more about ERBM’s funding and cost recovery strategies please visit our website at: www.ERBMrec.com/Financials.
Local parks and recreation are important drivers of public health and economic viability in any community, but especially in a remote, rural area like Meeker. Thanks for your participation in and support of the Meeker Recreation Center over the last 15 years and please join us in celebrating this great community asset in the months and years ahead.
By SEAN VONROENN – ERBM Executive Director
Special to the Herald Times
