HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-21-2007-6dORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 21, 2007
Action Agenda
Item No. ~(~_
SUBJECT: Proposed Fee Structure and Operation Hours for the Fitness Studio
at the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center
DEPARTMENT: Department on Aging PUBIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Comparison Chart of Proposed Jerry Passmore, (919) 245-2009
Seymour Center Fitness Fee Structure Janice Tyler, (919) 968-2071
with SportsPlex Donna Coffey, (919) 245-2151
2. Fitness Studio Info Flyer Ken Chavious, (919) 245-2453
PURPOSE: To consider approval of a fee structure and operation hours for the Seymour
Center Fitness-Equipment Studio.
BACKGROUND: Since the Department on Aging Wellness Program began in 1997, there has
always been a fee for service among the group exercise classes to cover the costs of paid
certified fitness instructors. The Department on Aging has provided scholarships with limited
United Way dollars to bridge the gap in service provision for those who cannot afford to pay the
requested fees in order that all older persons have access to senior center services.
Since the early planning stages of the new Seymour Center, it has been the request by citizens
to include a fitness area that included exercise machines that increase endurance, help maintain
balance and build strength for a healthy lifestyle. Ina 2003 citizen input survey on the design of
the new senior centers, citizens ranked a fitness studio second to Information and Referral in a
list of requested services. In order to provide this service to older adults in a safe manner, there
needs to be orientation and monitoring as well as continued maintenance on these types of
machines.
In January of this year, staff made it a requirement in order to use the new exercise machines at
the Seymour Center that all interested participants would be required to complete an initial
physical function screen at the senior center. This test has been offered at both the Chapel Hill
Senior Center and Central Orange Senior Center on a regular basis and at Northside on an as
requested basis since 2003 by local physical therapist. The test results provide a functional
baseline for participants to indicate what fitness equipment or exercise classes would be most
beneficial to them. Since March of this year, 144 participants have been screened and over half
(85) have been screened since the opening of the Seymour Center in late May. The number of
participant screenings reflects the tremendous interest in using the fitness equipment studio and
the participants' willingness to pay the proposed fees.
On May 29, 2007, the County's new Seymour Center began operations to serve Orange
County's older adults. One attraction of the Center is the new state-of--the-art Fitness equipment
Studio with exercise machines donated by UNC Hospitals that will meet the citizens' request.
The equipment includes 7 cardio and 7 strength building machines.
Beginning the last of July 2007, a personal trainer was contracted using temporary staff funds to
work 8 hours per week to orient and provide one-on-one service to clients utilizing the fitness
machines. Even in this short time, full-time staff have realized the value of this addition. Adding
a personal trainer with dedicated time to the fitness room gives clients the opportunity to have
ongoing questions; concerns and input to make their workouts more productive.
The fitness studio will require a fee to cover the orientation, training, and monitoring of
participants while using the equipment for a limited number of hours throughout the week.
The new Central Orange Senior Center to be constructed in 2008 does not have its own fitness-
equipment studio. Instead, senior center participants would utilize at a fee the adjoining County-
owned SportsPlex fitness studio which will have a large number of exercise machines.
Hours of Operation: Proposed
The Department on Aging wishes to have the fitness studio hours similar to the remainder of the
center (The proposed schedule includes Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.,
Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.). The studio would
close'/2 hour early at the end of the Seymour Center hours to allow patrons time to shower and
staff time to review the equipment and prep the area for the next day's activities without having
to work around users of the equipment and to allow time for any necessary maintenance.
(Attachment# 2)
Fitness Studio Fee Structure: Proposed
The proposed fee structure was based on the review of rates and services from other local
fitness outlets (YMCA, Peak Fitness) and having Seymour Center Fitness Studio fees
comparable and equitable with the current senior rates at the County owned SportsPlex. The
Advisory Board on Aging reviewed the proposed fee structure and its only concern was that
there is a comparable fee structure for seniors when the Central Orange Senior Center opens
adjacent to the SportsPlex. Department on Aging staff met with SportsPlex management to
review the proposed Seymour Center Fitness Studio fees. The SportsPlex management
thought the single service fees were reasonable and agreed to establish by next year a
comparable fee for seniors once the new Central Orange Senor Center and the expanded
SportsPlex Fitness equipment Studio is completed.
Attached is a Comparison Chart of Fee Structure for the Seymour Center, the SportsPlex, the
YMCA and Peak Fitness. (Attachment#1)
Seymour Center Fitness Studio Fees
Initiation/Orientation Fee: $20.00 (1 time fee) (includes Physical Function Screen and
Equipment Orientation).
Membership Fees A eq 6p + Ages 55-59
Annual Rate: $180.00 (one lump sum) $240.00 (one lump sum)
Bi-Annual Rate: $100.00 (paid at joining and 6 month intervals) $140.00
Quarterly Rate: $ 55.00 (paid quarterly -Jan, April, July, Oct) $ 80.00
Monthly Rate: $ 20.00 (paid by the 10th of each month) $ 30.00
Daily Rate: ~ $ 5.00 $ 8.00
The Seymour Fitness Studio fee structure, unlike other locations, provides for one service only,
while others require payments at a higher rate where patrons are forced to pay for packaged
multiple services that they may or may not use, i.e. currently the YMCA, Peak Fitness and the
SportsPlex fees includes group exercise classes and the swimming pool along with fitness-
equipment studio. A lower membership fee is charged to those persons age 60+ which is the
age criteria for all Older American Act services offered at the center. It is also the same age
criteria used by the SportsPlex for their senior citizen rates. Aging boomers from 55-59 would
have an opportunity to use the fitness studio, but at a slightly,higher fee since they are likely in
the work force and not retired.
The Department on Aging will provide fitness studio scholarships to older persons with low
incomes to make the studio available to everyone. The Wellness Coordinator will administer the
scholarship program on a case-by-case basis. The Department on Aging would offer
scholarships to Central Orange Senior Center participants, like at the Seymour Center, to
access the SportsPlex Fitness-Equipment Studio once the SportsPlex expands its fitness studio
next year and establishes a single service fee.
If the County considers reducing the proposed. rates, this would reduce the availability of a part-
time attendant to participants and to monitor the safety of the fitness studio. If the BOCC
considers a no cost rate for the Seymour Fitness Studio, it would also be necessary to consider
arranging with the SportsPlex the same no cost rate for the participants at the new Central
Orange Senior Center.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: It is anticipated that the Seymour Center Fitness Studio fees would
cover the direct cost of staff and maintenance for the studio by the end of the first year,
generating $30,000 from 150 memberships. Fees would cover equipment maintenance
($2,872) and temporary staff salaries ($27,128 for UNC graduate students in Exercise/Physical
Science and/or retired health/fitness experts) to monitor the studio, orient new users, and to do
functional screens.
While the Seymour Fitness Studio would be open to participants for 66 hours per week, staff
would only be on duty 42 hours per week during peak use hours. This would provide ample
time for senior participants to workout while a staff member is on duty. A limited number of
scholarships will be available, based on current poverty levels.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The County Manager recommends board approval of new Seymour
Center Fitness Studio fee structure, operation hours, the hiring of temporary employees to staff
the studio for 42 hours per week and the establishment of a revolving fitness program account
for depositing membership fees and paying fitness program expenses.
4
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Fitness Studio 5
Seymour Center
Department on Aging -Wellness Program Attachment #2
The new fitness studio in the Seymour Center will be 624-square feet of space
nestled inside the new state of the art 25,000 sq. feet Center. The fitness studio,
with exercise machines, will help users increase their endurance, help maintain
balance and build strength. The fitness area will offer new exercise machines
donated by UNC Health Care. The machines include: 2 treadmills, 2 elliptical,
2 recumbent bikes, one recumbent stepper and 7 different types of strength
building machines.
Eligibility
All citizens age 60 and older will be eligible to join. Those 55-59 will be eligible at
a higher fee. All members will be required to complete a physical function screen
prior to initial use and an equipment orientation session.
Appointments for a physical function screen and a new member orientation may
be made by calling the front desk at 968-2070.
Fee Structure
Initiation/Orientation Fee: $20.00 (1 time fee)
Membership Fees Ages 60 + Ag es 55-59
Annual Rate: $180.00 (one lump sum) $240.00
Bi-Annual Rate: $100.00 (paid at joining and 6 month intervals) $140.00
Quarterly Rate: $ 55.00 (paid quarterly -Jan, April, July, Oct) $ 80.00
Monthly Rate: $ 20.00 (paid by the 10t" of each month) $ 30.00
Daily Rate: $ 5.00 (paid at time of use) $ 8.00
Scholarships will be granted, case-by-case, based on the federal poverty
guidelines beginning with $10,210 for single member of household. Scholarship
inquiries should be directed to Myra Austin, Wellness Coordinator, 968-2073.
Operational Hours
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. -Monday -Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. -Fridays
8:00 a.m. - 1.30 p.m. -Saturdays
During peak times of use, machines will be limited to 30 minutes each.
Fitness Assistant Staffing Hours
8:00 - 11:30 a.m. -Monday -Friday
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. -Monday -Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. -Saturday