ROGERS — The Rogers Aquatic Center and the Regional Sports Park, two projects paid for by the 2011 bond election, had successful first years, park officials said.
“The aquatic center was a major hit with thousands of swimmers taking advantage of the amenities,” said Barney Hayes, park director. “The same can be said of the Sports Park. We hosted several tournaments this year and the majority of comments we got were very positive.”
Voters approved extending a 1 percent sales tax in 2011 to raise $135.4 million in bonds. About $20 million was set aside for the aquatic center and sports park. The aquatic center was expected to cost about $10 million, but cost $13 million. The sports park was also expected to cost $10 million, but city officials were able to build the park for about $8 million. Bond interest and general fund money made up the difference.
Attendance at the aquatic cente at 1707 S. 26th St. exceeded what park officials anticipated.
“We went from a little league to the big leagues,” Hayes said.
The Lake Atalanta pool saw about 25,000 visitors a season, Hayes said. The aquatic center’s capacity is 1,100 people.
“There were times we had to keep people waiting in line,” Hayes said of the aquatic center.
City officials estimated the center’s revenue at $550,000.
“As it stands right now we took in $908,109 in ticket sales and $217,180 at the concession stand. Our cost was $106,896 for the concession stand, $50,264 for pool chemicals, $67,800 for utilities and about $300,000 for employee salaries. When all is said and done, we should have about a $600,000 carryover for next year,” Hayes said.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rogers Facilities
• $900,000+: Rogers Aquatic Center revenue.
• 21: Number of tournaments held at Regional Sports Park.
• $15 million+: Amount officials plan to spend over the next couple of years to renovate Lake Atalanta and park land near the lake.
Source: Staff Report
A few bills are outstanding, and there will be a year-round electric bill for the center.
There is no way to know how many people visited the center this year. That should change next year. Plans are to buy a point of sale system to track punch cards, gate and concession sales.
Other carryover money will be used to buy more lounge furniture, build an asphalt parking lot to replace a gravel lot and a build a picnic area under trees on the property, officials said. The remainder of the carryover money will be put into a special fund.
“We plan to use the carryover money from the next two years of operation to add more amenities. We’re considering adding a wave pool or another lazy river,” Hayes said.
The price of admission to the center was a bone of contention to some.
Mary Bowles complained to aldermen about the price before the center opened and is still not impressed with the center.
“I took my grandchildren to the aquatic center about once a week this summer, but I wasn’t overly impressed. My biggest beef was, and still is, the cost of admission. Too many families can’t afford to go to the center at $12 a ticket. I bought a 10-punch pass card for my grandchildren when they had the cards at $42.50 or half price,” Bowles said.
Bowles was also concerned the center was often crowded and there weren’t enough beach chairs for adults who weren’t swimming.
“There was a couple times we went and had to wait to get inside,” Bowles said.
“I still think the city should have built a regular pool that everyone could afford. If the city made that much money, mostly on half-price punch cards I don’t see why they can’t lower the admission price to $4.25 and still make money,” Bowles said.
The Regional Sports Park brought in 21 tournaments. The park features six ballfields, a concession stand, restrooms and walking trails. It's at 2150 N. Dixieland Road.
“We had about 21 baseball and softball tournaments at the Regional Sports Park, and over 2,000 local league games played at the sports and Veterans Park fields, ” Hayes said. The tournaments brought in $48,650.
Tony Arnone, sponsor of five tournaments held at the Regional Sports Park in the spring, has two more tournaments scheduled for fall. He said the regional park is a great place to play.
“I love the sports park. Moms said they especially like the park because of what it had to offer for players and spectators,” Arnone said.
“For the first year of a new park the playing field is really great. The grass is still developing and the infield still has a few rocks, but park officials made some good adjustments in the infield soil to smooth out most problems,” Arnone said. “It takes awhile for a new park to be a great park, but I think the sports park is going to be a great park in a short period of time.”
Arnone has nine tournaments scheduled for next year at the Regional Sports Park.
Hayes said he plans to ask for additional personnel and equipment for the department during the 2014 budget process.
City officials have added more than 100 acres of park to the city this year. More walking and bike trails are being added, and renovating Lake Atalanta is to begin sometime next year, he said.
“We plan to request two more park employees, some new mowers and a pickup,” Hayes said.
Adding park land, the aquatic center, sports park and trails are more than just recreation venues, said Greg Hines, mayor.
“These improvements add to the quality of life in Rogers,” he said. “When companies and individuals look at Rogers as a possible place to move, one of the things they consider is the quality of life and the recreation amenities in the city. We are providing these amenities for our residents and others who may be looking for a great place to live, work and play.”