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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-01-2008 - 4cORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 1, 2008 Action Agen a Item No. -G SUBJECT: Proposed Fee Structure for a Senior Center SportsPlex Membership and Fee Increase for the Fitness Studio at Seymour Center DEPARTMENT: Department on Aging PUBIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Passmore, (919) 245-2009 Janice Tyler, (919) 968-2071 Donna Coffey, (919) 245-2151 Pam Jones, (919) 245-2650 PURPOSE: To consider approval of a fee structure between the Central Orange Senior Center and the SportsPlex for seniors (55+) and couples and a rate increase at the Seymour Center Fitness-Equipment Studio. BACKGROUND: Since the Department on Aging`s Wellness Program began in 1997, there has always been a fee for service for 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 Central Orange Senior Center, it has been the request by citizens to negotiate a senior membership plan with the SportsPlex comparable to that of the Seymour Fitness Studio. A plan for the Seymour Center's Fitness studio was approved by the BOCC in fall of 2007 and implemented in January 2008. In order to use the fitness exercise machines at the Seymour Center, it is a requirement that all interested participants complete an initial physical function screen at the senior center. This test is currently offered at both the Seymour Center and Central Orange Senior Center on a regular basis by local physical therapists. The test results provide a functional baseline for participants to indicate the fitness equipment or exercise classes that would be most beneficial to them. Since Spring of 2007, the County has screened 366 participants and currently has 107 participating members, with 17 on some form of the scholarship program for the fitness room. The number of participant screens reflect the tremendous interest in using the fitness equipment studio as well as the desire to know their functional levels before starting their fitness programs. On January 5, 2009, the County's new Central Orange Senior Center will begin operations to serve Orange County's older adults in the central/northern portions of the County. One attraction of the new Central Orange Senior Center location is access to the SportsPlex and its amenities. SportsPlex -Senior Center Participant Fee: Proposed The proposed fee structure was based on the review of rates and services of the Seymour Center Fitness Studio and the SportsPlex and was negotiated with John Stock, SportsPlex Manager, and Pam Jones, the County's Central Services Director. Because of the difficulty to monitor use of the SportsPlex's various offerings and the desire for older adults to take full advantage of them, not just the fitness studio, a special Central Orange Senior Center participant rate would be established. This rate would include full use of the new fitness studio, the swimming pool and classes (except for specialty classes) and would be only available to Orange County older adults who register with the Central Orange Senior Center's Wellness Program and take the required physical function screen. After completing the screen, the Senior Center staff would issue a voucher to the older adult to take to the SportsPlex for reduced fee payment. In order to optimize the SportsPlex offerings and to encourage as many participants as possible, the proposed special Senior Center participant fees are as follows: Central Orange Sr Ctr Membership Fees Individuals (55+) Couple Annual Rate: $300.00 (one lump sum) $420.00 Payable in Full by: Cash, Check or Credit Card or monthly $25.00 draft for individuals and $35 draft for couples. The $49 new membership joining fee is waived with completion of .the physical function screen and membership fee payment. Non-county residents and those wishing not to complete the annual required physical function screen may join the SportsPlex directly at the following rates: Individual - $35.99 -monthly $431.88 -annually Couple - $49.99 - monthly $599.88 -annually Scholarships will be granted on a sliding scale to persons with low incomes, but only through the Department on Aging's Wellness Program and not the SportsPlex. It would be based on the federal poverty guidelines beginning with $10,400 for single member of household. Scholarship inquiries would be confidential and would be handled by Myra Austin, Wellness Coordinator, in determining the final fee. The proposed SportsPlex Senior Center participant fee has been reviewed by the SportsPlex Advisory. Committee, County Advisory Board on Aging, and the Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center and has received a favorable response. SportsPlex Hours: Monday-Saturday, 5:30 a.m.- 10:00 p.m., Sunday, 12:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.(Saturday Summer Hours - 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) New Seymour Center Fitness Studio Fee: Proposed Membershi~Fees Individuals Couple Annual Rate: $200.00 (one lump sum) $300.00 Bi-Annual Rate: $120.00 (paid at joining and 6 month intervals $160.00 Quarterly Rate: $ 65.00 (paid quarterly -Jan, April, July, Oct) $ 90.00 Monthly Rate: $ 25.00 (paid by the 10th of each month) $ 35.00 Payable by cash or checks only. The $20 orientation fee is waived with completion of the physical function screen and membership fee payment. Non-county residents and those wishing not to complete the required annual physical function screen may join at the following rates: Individual - $21.00 -monthly $250.00 -annually Couple - $31.00 -monthly $375.00 -annually The Seymour Fitness Studio fee structure, unlike the SportsPlex, provides for one service only. The Department on Aging will provide fitness studio scholarships to low income older persons, administered by the Wellness Coordinator. The approved senior rates at the SportsPlex and at the Seymour Center would be published and distributed through the Dept. on Aging's Senior Times newspaper and by the SportsPlex through its information flyers. New Seymour Genter Fitness Studio Hours; Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Friday, p.m., Sunday, Closed. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Saturday, 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 FINANCIAL IMPACT: It is anticipated that.the SportsPlex Senior Center participant fee would have a financial benefit by increasing .use by seniors. The proposed Seymour Center Fitness Studio fees would cover the direct cost of staff and maintenance for the studio, generating $ 30,000 from 150 memberships. While the Seymour Fitness Studio would be open to participants for 67 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. RECOMMENDATION (S): The County Manager recommends the Board approve a new SportsPlex Central Orange Senior participant rate and the new Seymour Center Fitness Studio fee and operation hours, effective January 1, 2009.