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ASPEN RECREATION CENTER
ARC Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
June 4th, 2019
2:30pm to 4:30pm
I. Call to order 2:35pm
Board Members: Sam Louras, Steven Buettow, Gordon Gerson, Kelly Boggs, and Scott
Writer
Staff: Susan Arenella, Desiree Whitehead, Erin Hutchings
Committee member comments: None
Public Comments: Michael Christopher attended the meeting to discuss pickle ball fees.
He is upset with the fee increase from $5.00 to 10.00 and the pass price increasing 20%
this year. He listed that several communities have no charge for pickle ball. He said he
only found two others that did charge Vail and Pueblo at $5.00. He stated that Aspen
courts have cracks, are not level, and are not at a caliber to cost double. He reminded us
Pickle ball is the fastest growing sport in USA. We are not sending good messages to the
tourist. In no location that Michael has played has then been a monitor to regulate play.
He felt if we had a well-established system the need for staff would not be necessary thus
canceling the need for the fee. He stated the service is unnecessary.
Susan explained the fee to cover cost of the staff member. She, Scott and
Steven all explained the historical reasons we have come to the operation we have today.
Susan reminded everyone that 24 hours a week the fee system is in effect. There are 60
hours a week that are open and do not have a fee. She also reminded everyone of the
value of the membership. Sighting that if used every day the fee works out to about
$1.50 and if only half usage it works out to about $3 dollars a visit. The goal for pickle
ball is to get closer to business plan recommendations of 100% cost recovery. This fee
structure is projecting a 95% cost recovery.
Sam brought up there are other ways in which to run pickle ball. The club model
management or self-regulation.
Scott acknowledged that we are not trying to gouge pickle ball player and following our
budget process. The area is under review for expansion. He emphasized Aspen is
unique. Labor cost and land availability are inflated more so than the communities that
were compared.
The Committee voted on keeping the current structure. Steven second the concept, and
all were in favor of keeping the current structure.
Staff Comments:
II. Approval of Past Minutes: April and May were approved with the addition of
Sam’s name to May attendance.
III. Discussion Items:
Susan is going to describe efforts with budget details for 2020. Looking for
advisement from ARC Advisory Committee on how much expense details should
staff manage
Steven was comfortable with the roll up as long as we continue to see the same
information, and nothing gets lost.
Kelly understood the flexibility in rolling up the budget and emphasized the need to keep
vital program information for management. This way keeping vital information on
pricing for various programs.
Scott also emphasized the need for detail. He would like to know how we set fees for ice
and felt it is important to understand our cost to program level for determining charges.
Keeping detail information was a priority for the board and they did understand and
support the need for rolling up cost centers as long as detail information was still
available.
Discuss mission statements sent in email
The Aspen Recreation Advisory Committee mission is to create and enhance quality
recreational opportunities for youth, locals, and visitors to Aspen.
Staff explain 2019 Recreation work plan
Recommendation on Must do:
Cost Associating (how much does it cost to run ice for 1 hour)
Grant Process (how does it work; do they collaborate and understand Rec financial goals)
Construction Level Documents on the fitness expansion
Recommendations on Should Do:
ARC covenants for pickle ball expansion
Food service expansion and support to current vendor
ARC Projects for 2019
1. Fitness equipment
2. Aquatics locker rooms
3. NHL locker room
4. Tennis shack
IV. Updates and Progress Reports:
a. Financial report on revenues and expenses
V. Action Items:
a. ARC convents need to be delivered to Committee
b. Committee requesting to be in front of council
c. Please deliver the parking study to committee
d. Please deliver the cost for operations of ice for 1 hour
VI. Next Regular meeting date and time
nd
1. July 2 2:30pm