Huber Heights aquatic center nets $18K profit

Dayton Daily News
September 23, 2015
By Steven Matthews - Staff Writer

For the first time since its opening season in 2012, the Kroger Aquatic Center at The Heights generated a profit, according to preliminary numbers released by the city of Huber Heights.

The pool had a net profit this year of $17,879 after losing a combined $98,447 the last two years — $63,719 last year and $34,728 in 2013.

The city pocketing a profit from the aquatic center coincides with a spike in attendance, as a total of 45,094 people visited the facility — an increase from the last two years when attendance dropped to under 30,000 each year.

The pool closed for the season on Sept. 7.

City officials said advertising, promotions and hot weather on the weekends were all factors in the success of the facility. The profit goes into the parks and recreation fund, according to finance director Jim Bell.

“I’m excited we’ve ended our fourth season and appreciated a profit,” Councilman Mark Campbell said. “Recreation is an item that costs communities, and in an effort to provide recreation, it’s usually a budgeted line item that’s an expense. We’ve been able to create a situation where we’re providing recreation and able to show a modest profit.”

There are no plans to upgrade or expand the aquatic center going into 2016, assistant city manager Scott Falkowski said last week.

City Manager Rob Schommer said the city plans to re-evaluate the current rate structure and changes could be made. A total of 158 season passes were sold this year, the lowest in the pool’s four-year history.

The YMCA manages the city-owned aquatic center, located at 8625 Brandt Pike.

“We are proud to have completed another great season at the Kroger Aquatic Center in partnership with the city of Huber Heights,” Josh Sullenberger, vice president of operations for the YMCA of Greater Dayton, said in an email. “After two years of challenging weather, it is great to see it turn around a bit this year. We are hopeful for even better weather and attendance in 2016.”

After nearly 87,000 people visited the aquatic center in 2012 when it opened, attendance dipped to 29,282 in 2013 and 28,351 last year. City leaders cited the cool summer weather as the leading cause for the decrease in attendance and revenue.

In 2012, the aquatic center generated a profit of $172,863.

Campbell said more discussion on the aquatic center is expected to take place at the Oct. 6 Administration Committee meeting.

Topics will include how to improve access to the pool for neighboring residents of the facility and making season passes more attractive to families, Campbell said. How the city can offer more events at the Eichelberger Amphitheater also will be part of the discussion.

“I hope that staff analyzes what has been presented and discussed, and comes up with any necessary changes in an effort to enhance the experience for the residents,” said Campbell, chair of the committee.