SLS FSC Facilities - Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre

Spray Lake Sawmills
Recreation Park Society
2014 Annual Report
August 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014
Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre
Established 2001
Governed / Operated by: SLS Recreation Park Society
Co-Owned by: Town of Cochrane & Rocky View County
The SLS Recreation Park Society is a charitable not-for-profit, governed by a
Volunteer Board of Directors made up of active citizens and stakeholders in the
community that operates the facility.
User Pay Operating Model: This USER PAY MODEL means that SLS FSC is
financially self sustaining. SLS FSC has to cover all of its operating costs by way of
revenues generated from facility user groups, 3rd party tenants, members,
registered program and drop-in participants. While SLS FSC receives some money
towards Lifecycle and Capital items from the Town of Cochrane and Rocky View
County, SLS FSC does not receive operating subsidy dollars. SLS FSC has to cover
any operating shortfalls. Annually, SLS FSC budgets to have a 2-3% net operating
surplus, which if successful, is put into reserves for future Lifecycle and Capital
needs.
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Message from the President of SLS RPS 2014
It is my pleasure to bring an update to all our stakeholders on the operations of the Spray Lake Sawmills
Family Sports Centre and the Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society.
The past year has been busy and productive and we are pleased to be involved in the continuing
evolution of our facility. Our Recreation Centre has become a year round hub of activity in the
community and we sincerely thank all those residents who choose to participate in the activities that are
offered. The confirmed addition of the Aquatics/Curling/Multisport areas to our facility is very exciting
and fulfills our vision of a complete sports and recreation complex. While there will certainly be some
disruption in our operations during the construction phase the end result will be more than worthwhile.
We continue to enjoy the support and cooperation of our owners, the Town of Cochrane and Rocky
View County. An agreement between these parties is very close to completion that will then enable us
to extend our lease of the facility. This will give us the long term certainty needed to go forward with our
tenants, user groups and our own operations.
As part of our mandate to provide recreational activities to the residents of the community we have
moved the operation of the Fitness Centre under our control. This enables us to provide a full facility
membership that includes all of our drop in activities and classes plus access to updated and expanded
cardio and weight equipment. When the new Aquatics/Multisport addition is up and running this facility
membership will truly provide great access to an astounding variety of sport, recreational and fitness
activities at a very reasonable price.
Our goal for the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre is to have it managed and operated in an
efficient manner, allowing us to offer programs and use of the facility at the lowest possible cost,
without the use of tax dollars for operations while still building reserves for capital replacement needs.
We also strive to provide a very customer friendly and user oriented atmosphere. We thank our General
Manger, Robin Mitchell, and his entire team for the hard work, commitment and dedication they have
shown in pursuing and achieving these objectives.
We are very fortunate to welcome two members to our Board this year. Allie Temple and Hank
Biesbroek have been users of our facility and dedicated participants in our community for many years
and we thank them for volunteering their time, energy and skills to move SLSFSC forward. I also thank
the other members of the Board, Craig Hampson, John Cook, Andy Cook, Rob Berndt, Jeff Toews and
Bruce Kendall. We remain committed to serving the community by providing excellence in facilities and
programs in an economically sustainable manner.
Yours truly,
Gerry Smith,
President SLS RPS
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Message from the General Manager of SLS FSC
2014 saw strong continued support from the community for the SLS FSC drop-in and registered program
offerings. The adult group classes; Zumba, yoga, heavy bag and kick boxing along with sticks ‘n pucks,
public skating and pickleball were so well attended that we had to insert additional times into the
weekly schedule to accommodate the demand for these popular drop-in sessions. The 9 weeks of
different themed summer day camps were extremely well received along with the Kid Zone Bouncers all
year long for drop-in and exclusive birthday parties. SLS FSC hosted two major dog shows, the Chamber
of Commerce Trade Show, numerous ice hockey/ringette tournaments and the Kimmett Cup to mention
but a few special events.
2014 was a planning year as we prepare to transition and add to our program offerings in 2015. For
many years the Fitness Centre has been operated by a 3rd party tenant. Individuals and families coming
to SLS FSC could choose to have a membership with the 3rd party Fitness Centre (to use the cardio and
weight training equipment) or a membership with SLS FSC (to attend all of the SLS FSC drop-in activities
offered). For many years now, the SLS RPS Board wanted to be able to offer an affordable facility wide
membership that was all inclusive. While there was a hybrid facility wide membership option available,
it was very pricy and confusing for the general public. At the end of 2014, the SLS RPS Board entered
into an agreement with the 3rd party Fitness Centre operator to purchase the business and the assets. In
January 2015, SLS FSC will re-open the fitness centre as part of the SLS FSC membership. The cost to
purchase an SLS FSC adult, teen, senior or family membership, inclusive of the fitness centre, remains
the same price as before, no increase. At the beginning of 2014, SLS FSC introduced the continuous
monthly membership payment option using EFT. This allows a person or family to join and then with 30
written notice, cancel when they want to. This membership option has proven to be very popular as
people do not have to enter into long term contracts.
In 2014 the original Cochrane Arena celebrated its 40th anniversary. It was constructed in 1974. In 2005
it underwent a major renovation when the Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society took over the
operation of the stand alone facility. As the 4th ice surface in Cochrane, it serves as home to the
Cochrane Skating Club along with meeting the needs of Cochrane Minor Hockey & Ringette and several
adult hockey leagues. Situated near the tri-schools, it also serves the needs of Manachaban Middle
School and Cochrane High School hockey programs.
As the two buildings continue to age, Cochrane Arena and SLS FSC, SLS RPS needs to continue to set
money aside into lifecycle and capital reserves. This past year with the assistance of our owners, the
Town of Cochrane and Rocky View County, we were able to replace two of the Olympia ice resurfacers.
In 2015 we need to replace the turf at SLS FSC and install dehumidification at the Cochrane Arena. With
the assistance of our owners and SLS RPS reserves, both of these projects are expected to be completed
by the summer of 2015.
In March of 2015 construction will start on the much anticipated aquatics/curling centre. It is slated to
open March of 2017. I look forward to the grand opening as these additional facilities will enhance the
recreational experience for people in Cochrane and the surrounding area.
Robin Mitchell
General Manager and Executive Director
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Volunteer Board of Directors
Gerry Smith – President
Craig Hampson – Vice President
Rob Berndt – Secretary
Jeff Toews – Town of Cochrane Representative
Paul Mclean – Rocky View County Representative
John Cook – Treasurer
Andy Cook – Member at Large
Hank Biesbroek – Member at Large
Allie Temple – Member at Large
Sponsors and Donors
We would like to thank the many sponsors, donors and grantors that generously gave to the
SLS RPS during the year:
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RBC Play Hockey – on going operations
Canadian Tire Jumpstart – subsidy for Fit Kid Camps, programs, sports
Cochrane Activettes – ongoing operations
Government of Canada (Canada Summer Jobs) – Fit Kids Summer Day Camps
Grand Central Properties Inc – Kids Zone Bouncers
RedWave IT Solutions – IT and website design and support
Rocky View County – lifecycle, capital and equipment
Spray Lake Sawmills – ongoing operations, naming rights of facility
Town of Cochrane – lifecycle, capital and equipment
Totem Charitable Foundation – ongoing operations, naming rights of arenas
Cochrane Eagle – media advertising
Cochrane Toyota – media advertising
SCI – ongoing operations, naming rights of turf
Dynastream – ongoing operations and naming rights of the track
Coke – ongoing operations and Fit Kids summer day camps
GryzkoHarperBouw – Fit Kids summer day camps
Clearwater Foundation – two grade 12 high school scholarships
Cochrane Minor Hockey Association – phase 3 (totem 2 & 3 arena construction)
The Calgary Foundation – Daryl K. Seaman Hockey Fund – hockey / ringette subsidy support
Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation – Lindsay’s Kids – hockey / ringette subsidy
support
YELNATS – on going operations
Facility advertising – thank you to the many local in Cochrane that support the operations
through wall, rink/turf board and banner ads throughout the facility
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SLS FSC Facilities
3 arenas, an indoor 3 lane running track, indoor turf, double gymnasium, martial arts studio, several
multi – purpose rooms, birthday party rooms, childminding centre and several 3rd party tenants
(Cochrane Sport Physiotherapy, U of C Gymnastics Centre, Seniors on the Bow, PAT’s CAFE, Inspiring
Minds Junior Kindergarten, Dynastream Innovations and P3 Sports Inc).
Cochrane Arena
One sheet of ice, Guy’s Cafe & Bakery, Christopher’s Kidz before and after school care and a program
room.
Overall Financial Results
In the fiscal year ending July 31, 2014 the Society is pleased to report a net surplus from operating
activities of $111,606. Revenue ($2,687,535) over Expenses ($2,575,929). This is up from the previous
year of $23,719.
Facility Rentals
Approximately 53%, $1,416,185 of SLS FSC revenues come from facility rentals; ice, turf, gym and room
rentals. This number stayed relatively unchanged year over year. This was the 3rd year in a row in which
the user fees had remained the same. Up until 2010, SLS FSC primarily generated revenues from facility
rentals and leased tenant space. There is only so much prime time space available to rent, which makes
it difficult to grow facility revenues year over year unless the prime time rental rates are increased and
or user groups start to book in non-prime times.
During the course of the year, we hosted several tournaments; ice hockey, ringette, figure skating,
volleyball, and basketball. This past year we were successful in hosting four ice hockey tournaments over
the Christmas up from 2 the year before and we hosted a reduced in size Treaty tournament. We hosted
several special events; Chamber of Commerce Trade Show, Wellness Fair, Family Day, Children’s
Festival, Bears Paw Fair, Last Minute Christmas Market, 2 Dog Show, Footstock and Martin Parnell’s 4th
annual New Year’s Eve marathon quest.
Tenant Leases and Vending
Approximately 17%, $452,850 of SLS FSC revenues come from tenant leases and vending. Going
forward, other than yearly lease rate increases, the revenues for Leasing will not grow substantially until
there is more leasable space is constructed (with the new aquatics/curling centre). Currently all of the
available space is leased out. Year over year revenues from tenants and vending remained flat only
growing by 1%. In early 2014 SLS FSC met with Edge Sports that operated the skate shop. Edge Sports
was struggling to provide the hours of coverage and make ends meet, so an agreement was struck in
which SLS FSC purchased the assests of Edge Sports at the end of May and re-opened in September of
2014 having the skate shop rolled into the SLS FSC operations.
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Programs and Services
Drop-in and Registered programs are offered 12 months of the year and operate in prime and nonprime operating times. This is where the largest percentage of revenue growth is expected over the next
couple of years until the next growth phases take place (aquatics and curling). Year over year, the
Program revenues grew by 17%, from $464,649 to $542,724. Programs account for 20% of the overall
revenues at SLS FSC.
In the fall of 2013, we continued to refine and add more drop-in and registered programs. The idea of
these programs was to attract and grow the number of people coming to SLS FSC for something in
addition to the team sport offerings such as hockey, ringette, figure skating, soccer, rugby and lacrosse,
all of which we are well known for. We introduced the Program Guide, which outlines all of the activities
we offer and is made available to the public at the beginning of each season. In addition, we have
increased our social media interaction and have grown the number of active Facebook followers to over
1,800.
Drop-in Programs
Included in our facility memberships and offered to the public as drop-in activities, we continued to
offer a large selection of drop-in programs including; Soccer, Shinny, Yoga, Zumba, Heavy Bag, Pickleball,
Badminton, Basketball, Public Skating and many more. Throughout the year we saw huge growth in our
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Pickleball numbers, to the point where we were speaking with the players very regularly to ensure the
courts were not becoming too crowded. The interest in Pickleball provided the perfect opportunity for
us to organize and offer our very first Pickleball Tournament! This tournament drew teams from
Edmonton, Camrose, Chestermere, Calgary and of course Cochrane. Everyone who attended was
impressed with our facility and enjoyed the tournament so much they requested we make them a more
regular part of what we do, so we organized another tournament for Fall 2014. We also introduced
drop-in Hula Hooping and Belly Dancing fitness classes for a twist on a healthy lifestyle. These classes
provided an extremely fun environment to learn new skills and get in a workout all at once.
The Kid Zone Bouncers have been a tremendous success since first being introduced back in October
2010. This summer we had 7 large inflatables set up and over 4,000 kids played on the bouncers located
in Totem 2! With the financial support and sponsorship from Grand Central Properties (5 year
commitment), we were able to purchase the first set of inflatables and equipment; the ongoing
contributions allow us to add more equipment and make replacements as required. In late May, once
the ice comes out of Totem 2, we convert the dry pad into a permanent Kid Zone, reducing the man
power required to set-up and take down each time. This Kid Zone allows for a drop-in play area for kids
(2-10 years of age) every day of the week.
In July and August we also incorporate this area into the summer day camp program. Throughout the
year, in addition to just kids dropping in to play in the Kid Zone, we also offer drop-in and exclusive
birthday parties. Outside of the summer months, the Kid Zone is set up on weekends and attracts a lot
of the younger hockey/soccer crowd who are here to watch siblings as well as a huge portion of
Cochrane families who are looking for something to do with their young children.
Registered Programs
This year, we offered many of the previously successful registered programs including Play ‘n Sk8,
Hockey Kids, and Ladies Shinny. We also introduced several new registered programs including Baton
Twirling, Learn to Play Hockey, Hula Hooping, Archery level 1 & 2, Adult Learn to Skate, YogArt, Pickleball
Tournaments and Introduction to Meditation. Our programs are gaining momentum and parents are
being conditioned to look for our Program Guide to see what they can enroll their children and
themselves in.
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Summer Camps
The Fit Kids Summer Camps were first introduced back in 2010 and ever since we have seen great
success with an average of 30-45 kids registered each of the 9 weeks during the summer. This past
summer there were 9 different themed weeks of camps offered. Over the course of a weekly Fit Kids
Camp, children participate in various skill building sports and games led by our skilled instructors. They
access the gym, turf, ice, Martial Arts Studio, large program room and Kid Zone at SLS FSC. Campers also
made off-site trips (which really added to the experience) to the Cochrane pool, Cochrane Ranchehouse,
WinSport to do luging, Ghost Lake for kayaking, orienteering and outdoor survival in which they learned
to make a fire and they camped out on the turf overnight, Callaway Park, Telus Spark Science Centre,
Foothills Athletic Park, batting cages, Rock Climbing and the last week they went to Heritage Park.
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FWM – ‘Facility Wide Membership”
In September of 2011, SLS FSC and Lifestyle Fitness introduced the adult “Facility Wide Membership”,
one in which a member pays one fee and has access to all the drop-in programs and base offerings at
SLS FSC and Lifestyle Fitness. This collaboration of efforts resulted in the ability to provide a Fitness
Membership at a lower rate than it would cost to separately join Lifestyle Fitness and SLS FSC. In
September of 2012 Lifestyles Fitness and SLS FSC launched the family “Facility Wide Membership”. The
introduction of the FWM only saw a modest interest from the general public. The cost of the FWM
although cheaper than buying separately, was still somewhat more than most families can justify
spending. For 10 years the Fitness Centre has been operated by a 3rd party tenant. For many years now,
the SLS RPS Board has wanted to be able to offer an affordable facility wide membership that was all
inclusive. While the hybrid facility wide membership option has been available for the past 3 years, it
was very pricy and confusing for the general public. At the end of 2014, the SLS RPS Board entered into
an agreement with the 3rd party Fitness Centre operator to purchase the business and the assets. In
January 2015, SLS FSC will re-open the fitness centre as part of the SLS FSC membership. The cost to
purchase an SLS FSC adult, teen, senior or family membership, inclusive of the fitness centre will remain
the same price as what SLS FSC was charging in 2014, no price increase; Families $90/month, Adults
$50/month and Teens and Seniors $25/month. At the beginning of 2014, SLS FSC introduced the
continuous monthly membership payment option using EFT. This allows a person or family to join and
then with 30 written notice, cancel when they want to. This membership option has proven to be very
popular as people do not have to enter into long term contra
School Groups
We have formed strong partnerships with many of the local schools, K-12, from all over the Cochrane
area that utilized SLS FSC to augment some of their physical education needs. Cochrane High School,
Manachaban Middle school and Elizabeth Barrett use the Cochrane Arena for their hockey and skating
programs. St. Tim’s, Bow Valley High Sports Performance, Mitford, the Christian Academy, Westbrooke
Elementary, BearsPaw Christian School, Glenbow, Notre Dame des Velles all book space throughout the
year; ice, turf, gym and meeting rooms. Cochrane Home Educators uses SLS FSC to provide their weekly
Friday physical education programming. We will continue to grow and foster these partnerships as it
brings people to the facility during our ‘slower times’ during the day and it exposes the kids to the many
program offerings that SLS FSC offers during the year. Mitford Middle School had such a large
enrollment this year that they had to turn gym space into classroom space. As a result they booked ice,
turf, gymnasium and classroom space with us Monday to Friday from 9 am to noon, from September to
June.
Child Minding
In September 2012 we converted the small program room upstairs into the new Child Minding space.
We now employ two staff in the mornings and have increased the number of kids we can look after to
20. As a result of offering a quality child minding service, more moms have been willing to purchase
memberships and attend programs at SLS FSC. Ideally the kids start in child minding and then attend day
camps and programs and then buy a membership. Starting in January 2015, child minding will be
included in their membership fees for continuous and paid in full memberships, based on space
available.
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Marketing, Sales and Communications
This past year we continued to focus on growing our marketing and exposure of the facility and the
programs and services offered. We have established a brand ‘look’ that people recognize. We are
producing professional marketing pieces for program brochures and advertising in the Eagle on a weekly
basis. People have got into the habit of looking in the paper to see what is new and going on at SLS FSC.
The consistency is a valuable marketing tool. We have established a very strong following on ‘Facebook’
with over 1800 ‘likes’. People look to our Facebook page to see what drop-in activities are offered that
day, what events are coming up and to provide feedback or ask questions regarding the facility.
We are constantly updating the website keep it current with posters, schedules, and announcements.
As part of the ZOOM Media contract, they installed 2 large TVs in the lobbies. They sell advertising and
we see a small percentage from gross sales. More importantly we have the ability to advertise our own
programs on the TVs at no cost to us.
We produce a program brochure that changes with the season so customers can see all of the program
offerings at a glance. It is available on the website and we also have limited copies available at guest
services.
We teamed up with the local radio station AIR 91.5 FM. In exchange for advertising space in our facility,
we receive on-air ad space which has given us the ability to promote our programs.
Operations
The Operations Team is tasked with ensuring that all the buildings function properly both inside and
outside. This past year, with the assistance of our owners, we replaced the OLYMPIA Ice Resurfacers at
the Cochrane Arena and one at SLS FSC. Next year the turf is slated to be replaced at SLS FSC and a
dehumidification installed at the Cochrane Arena.
We upgraded several computer stations, installed a new server and a commercial printer, replaced and
reinforced the snow guards and breaks at the main entrance to SLS FSC, resurfaced the gym floor,
replaced the boiler for the Olympia in Totem 2/3, replaced the speakers and sound system in the large
program room, added 36 new lockers outside the fieldhouse and replaced the heat exchanger on the
main plant at SLS FSC.
For the past few years we have focused equally on the outside of the building keeping the grounds clean
and free of garbage, planting flowers, shrubs and trees and keeping the lawns mowed and tidy. People
must be noticing as we received several positive comments from patrons throughout the year.
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Moving into 2015...
Starting in January of 2015, SLS FSC will be offering an affordable reasonably priced all inclusive
membership. SLS FSC membership will include all of the popular drop-in fitness classes (Zumba, Yoga,
heavy bag, kick boxing, spin, boot camp), activities (pickleball, sticks & pucks, public skating, track,
badminton,) plus, it will also include the Fitness Centre.
In March of 2015, construction will start on the aquatics and curling centre. It is expected to take 2 years
to build thus slating the grand opening for March of 2017. Once this construction is complete, the Spray
Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre will offer a recreation experience for the whole family to enjoy.
SLS FSC...’A Healthy History...A Fit Future’...Stay tuned
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Appendix
Professional Service Providers
Financial Institution
Alberta Treasury Branch – Cochrane
Chartered Accountants
Grant Thornton - Calgary
GryzkoHarperBouw - Cochrane
Legal Firms
Gowlings Lafleur Henderson LLP - Calgary
Mabbott & Company – Cochrane
Contact Information
Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society
Manages:
Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre and the Original Cochrane Arena
Mailing address of SLSFSC
800 Griffin Road East
Cochrane Alberta
T4C 2B8
Phone: 403-932-1635
Fax: 403-932-1625
Website: www.slssportscentre.com
General Manager/Executive Director: [email protected]
General inquires: [email protected]
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