- April 18, 2024
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The Flagler County School Board is looking for a way to keep the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club open to the public. But it does not want to continue operating the facility at a loss, so it is seeking help.
The school district’s projected operating budget for the club for the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year is $317,031. Its revenues for the 2021-22 fiscal year was $148,004. That included membership fees, agreements with insurance companies through their memberships for the use of the gym and pool and $25,000 from Flagler County.
If revenue streams are not increased, the district projects a loss of $169,027 for 2022-23.
“I do not want to see us losing money every year,” Board Chair Trevor Tucker said at a July 19 workshop. “The longer we don’t move, the longer this number will be here.”
Joshua Walker, the district’s coordinator for community services, suggested that the district work with the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club’s Advisory Committee to explore ways to drive revenue and increase membership.
Walker said the club would need to add 403 new members at the current rates to break even for the upcoming year.
While reaching that number seems unfeasible, board member Cheryl Massaro presented a proposal by the advisory committee that would require an interlocal agreement with the county, the city of Palm Coast and the School Board. Under the proposal, the city, county and school district would each contribute $50,000 annually to facility. The county already contributes $25,000. The advisory committee would also contribute $50,000 by taking over memberships and increasing membership rates and attracting new members through promotions. The total of $200,000 would more than cover the projected deficit.
“I think this is the best way for the school district to start to limit their responsibility,” Massaro said. “This group I think has the capability of increasing memberships. I can’t remember the last time we did any kind of promotions for Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club. It kind of has been this hidden, little gem that nobody has wanted to spend any time or money on but a lot of people have taken advantage of. A lot of people love this pool. And the gym has taken off.”
“I can’t remember the last time we did any kind of promotions for Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club. It kind of has been this hidden, little gem that nobody has wanted to spend any time or money on but a lot of people have taken advantage of.”
— CHERYL MASSARO
Tucker proposed a timeline of six months in which the district would work with the advisory committee on a new fee schedule and reach out to the city and county to see if they are interested in an ILA.
“If they’re not interested, this is dead in the water.” Tucker said. “If this doesn’t work, do we continue to fund it? Up until then, I’m OK with giving this a whirl.”
The district has cut hours at the club this year but has not increased membership fees of $35 a month for adults and $20 a month for students, ages 13-21. Daily use for non-members is $4.
Dave Freeman, the district’s chief of operational services, said he will work on a new fee schedule and an advertising plan with the advisory committee and contact the city and county regarding the ILA proposal. An update is expected at the board’s Aug. 16 information workshop.
Flagler Palm Coast High School’s swim team uses the pool. It is scheduled to begin practice on Aug. 1. Matanzas, which currently uses the Frieda Zamba Pool at the Palm Coast Aquatics Center, may switch to the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club pool next year, Walker said. The Flagler Fluid Swim Team and the Synchro Belles Artistic Swim Team also train there.
TENNIS COURTS REOPENING
The district is reopening three of the club’s four tennis courts. It had planned to demolish all of the courts and place portable classrooms on the site. That plan was withdrawn because of the cost. One of the four courts is in disrepair. Two of the courts that will reopen also have markings for pickleball.
“If this doesn’t work, do we continue to fund it? Up until then, I’m OK with giving this a whirl.”
— TREVOR TUCKER
The aging facility will continue to need upgrades, Freeman and Walker said. Freeman said a facility assessment was conducted earlier this year. The pool, which was built in 1978, was renovated in 2017, and while it is not leaking, there are some stress fractures on the pool deck.
Freeman said the pool pump has been upgraded, and the air conditioner in the women's restroom has been replaced. A new roof for the bathhouse and pavilion will need to be added to the five-year capital plan, he said.
Some of the gym equipment is from the mid- to late-’90s. Walker said a couple of treadmills could not be repaired because there were no longer any replacement parts.
One item that is on the district’s construction project list for the upcoming year is repairing the club's parking lot. Tree roots are pushing up the asphalt in 10 places and could create a hazard, Freeman said. A complete replacement of the lot would cost $350,000, because the asphalt has no base, he said. The project on the district’s plan would cost $190,000 and would entail cutting out the 10 sections and resurfacing the entire lot.
“We feel we can cut that down even further and just cut out the areas and put in asphalt for about $100,000,” Freeman said.
“We have been discussing closing (this) facility for a very long time,” Massaro said. “Maintenance is a huge thing. I think the best way to go is working with (the advisory committee).”
