By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Swimmers swarmed the pool this summer – but revenues took a plunge due to increased costs to operate the aquatic center in Bowling Green City Park.
While the city saw increased numbers of people flocking to the pool this past season, any revenue growth from the jump in attendance was gobbled up by increased expenses for staff, chemicals, concessions and natural gas.
So when it was all tallied up at the close of the season, the pool budget ended up $29,230 in the red – with $326,085 in revenue and $355,315 in expenses.
The city had already dedicated $20,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to the pool, so that brought the expenses to $9,230 over budget.
Recreation Coordinator Ivan Kovacevic reported on the 2022 pool budget Tuesday evening to the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Board.
On the bright side, the daily pool admissions were high – bringing in $136,235, nearly $20,000 more than the previous year.
“Daily admissions were incredibly strong this year,” Kovacevic said.
Season passes, however, took a dip – totaling $95,068, nearly $12,000 less than the previous year.
Concession sales were high – coming in at $69,539, about $6,000 more than in 2021.
And swimming lessons were solid, with revenue of $25,243, about $900 less than the previous year, despite the decision to drop the maximum class size from 18 to 12 to provide for better instruction and more individual attention for students.
Overall, the revenues were up about 3.6%.
“It was a pretty strong year,” Kovacevic said.
However, the expenses for supplies, staffing and deliveries shot up about 7.7%, or $25,552 more than the previous year.
Those expenses included administration and maintenance staff up about $2,000, aquatic staff up around $5,000, chemicals increased by $4,000, concession supplies by nearly $3,000, operating expenses by $9,000, and natural gas by more than $3,000.
Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley said the board will study the budget more thoroughly in January and discuss the possibility of rate increases.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting:
- Ardy Gonyer, the park and rec board liaison with the BG Parks Foundation Board, reported on the success of the Party for the Parks, which raised about $19,000, and the recent BG Brew Fest, which raised about $3,000.
- Otley reported that the pickleball advisory group is working on a goal of raising $200,000 for outdoor pickleball courts at the community center. The pickleball project has already received $150,000 in American Rescue Plan funding from the city, plus funding raised at the Party for the Parks.
- Kovacevic announced the parks and recreation department has received a $20,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to help build shade structures and concrete pathways at the Eli Joyce Field in City Park. The project has already been awarded grants from the Bowling Green Community Foundation, the Mudhens Helping Hands program, and is awaiting news about a possible grant from the Wood County Park District.
- Kovacevic reported on the upcoming City Park Winter Spark Holiday Market and Festival planned at City Park on Dec. 17, from 2 to 7 p.m. The event will feature a one-mile race, horse and carriage rides, a craft and farmers market, children’s art contest, family games, Christmas caroling, food trucks, children’s storytime, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
