To: Mayor and Council

City of Delta COUNCIL REPORT

Regular Meeting

File No.: 14000-01

From: Parks, Recreation and Culture Department

Date: September 20, 2019

North Delta Recreation Centre - Fitness Only Pass

The following report has been reviewed and endorsed by the City Manager.

• RECOMMENDATIONS:

A. THAT a Fitness Only Pass be implemented at the North Delta Recreation Centre, generally as described within this report.

B. THAT based on approval of Recommendation A, the Fitness Only Pass be made available to patrons as of November 1, 2019.

C. THAT staff review the use of the Fitness Only Pass and report back to the Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission and Council in one years' time.

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• PURPOSE:

To seek approval to implement a Fitness Only Pass (Pass) at the North Delta Recreation Centre (Centre) in order to increase user participation, and to provide added programming and personal training opportunities.

• BACKGROUND:

The City of Delta (Delta) currently offers a facility drop-in pass that allows patrons to access multiple facilities and multiple spaces within the facility using the same pass. For example, if a patron wanted to swim at a facility, go to the gym at another and perhaps skate at another, within a single day, as long as the patron kept their wristband on, they could do so. Likewise, the patron could do all those things at one facility, within a day if the full services were available, provided they were wearing their wristband.

The fitness space at the Centre was established in 2016 as part of the overall facility expansion. Part of the rationale in establishing fitness space at the Centre was to relieve the ongoing pressure experienced in the fitness space at the Sungod Recreation Centre (Sungod).

When the expansion was completed, to entice potential patrons to experience the Centre, an exclusive reduced drop-in pass was offered between August 2016 and

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February 2017. After the expiry of the reduced drop-in pass, many patrons that had moved over from Sungod went back to Sungod to take advantage of the full service options available there. Of note, ongoing construction at the adjacent North Delta Centre for the Arts, parking lot and neighbouring residential development has had an impact on access and egress to the Centre for the past couple of years, which may have been a deterrent to potential patrons.

The type of fitness experienced at the Centre supports weight training, cardia and functional training. As a way to encourage more use of the fitness space, a Fitness Only Pass is being proposed. The completion of the adjacent residential development may also help contribute to an expanded user base.

At its September 19, 2019 Regular Meeting, the Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission supported the recommendations contained within this report.

• DISCUSSION:

The Centre does not have a year round pool, hot tub or sauna, therefore there is a case to introduce a fitness only pass.

Several lower mainland cities offer passes for specific facility uses: i.e. gym only pass, fitness centre pass, pool only pass, etc. In reviewing single use passes offered by the cities of Richmond , Surrey and Burnaby, the drop-in rate average is about $5 per adult, per visit. Seniors rates are slightly lower at about $4.30 per visit. By comparison , research on private facilities found models where the venue charges $8 bi-weekly, plus an initiation fee of $79.99 and an annual membership fee of $49.99, for a total cost the first year of $338.

Introducing a fitness only pass at the Centre is logistically possible and can be accommodated by providing a separate wristband for these patrons. It will require additional supervision by staff to ensure access is limited to the fitness space only. As an incentive, and in order to encourage use, a drop-in fee of $3.75 will be charged to patrons to try the fitness space at the Centre.

It should be noted that patrons at other Delta recreation facilities have asked staff to introduce a fitness only pass. Should this be envisioned for other facilities, further consideration will be required to determine how to administer the pass. For example, gate kickers on pool chambers, gyms and arenas or dual wristband system would need to be established.

A full review of the Delta Parks, Recreation & Culture Fees and Charges Bylaw will be undertaken later this year.

Fitness Only Pass

In reviewing rates in other cities, and those charged at private clubs, to encourage use of the fitness space at the Centre the following fees are recommended:

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Current Current 12 Month Pass Proposed Fitness Only Monthly Pass (Per Month) Monthly Pass

Young Adults $52 $43 $28 (19-24) Adults $65 $54 $35 (25- 64) Seniors $47 $39 $25 (65- 84)

Note: Patrons aged 16 to 18 can currently access the fitness space for free.

Implications: Financial Implications - There are no financial implications associated with this report. There may be a reduction in revenue, however this could be offset by an increase in patron use.

• CONCLUSION:

The North Delta Recreation Centre fitness space is underutilized. Providing an incentive and offering a Fitness Only Pass should encourage participation of the fitness space, while at the same time responding to requests from patrons to initiate a fitness only fee.

untz ctor of Parks, Recreation and Culture

Department submission prepared by: Diana L. Cousins, Senior Policy Analyst DLC/bc/dlc

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