By Sara Quam
The Rock County Pool Commission isn't ready to make a recommendation on what should happen with the management or ownership of the Pool and Fitness Center.
It isn't ready because it doesn't have the necessary information or the power to gather more.
When they met Tuesday to discuss future possibilities, Commission members found out that they couldn't gather further research or get formal proposals without first recommending such action to the owners and governing body of the facility - the city of Luverne and Rock County.
The joint owners can then approve advertising for proposals on either new management, a lease agreement or sale of the facility. But without a recommendation on which option to advertise for, the issue is stalled.
The Commission may be ready to make a firm decision on a recommendation after sitting in on Tuesday's discussion for a while.
Commission members got feedback from the community and Pool and Fitness Center members after presentations from MC Fitness and Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System.
All sides got favorable remarks from someone, whether it be keeping the facility as it is, leasing it or selling it.
Without clear guidance from constituents, the Commission has to decide what it believes is best for everyone, citizens and government.
Operating options
By not deciding what to recommend, the Pool Commission isnÕt giving the joint owners direction on what to do with the facility. The Commission worries a little about employee retention with looming new ownership or management. Still, it concluded that taking time is wiser.
Ed Bouwman said, "My first inclination is to slow down. We can see what happens with membership when the 20-percent increase happens and we can always raise rates again and get more equipment without increasing the government contribution."
Damon Eisma said, "I think we should see what's out there because at this point we aren't making any decisions."
Bouwman said, "I'm reluctant to turn over a community facility to an outside source until our internal efforts fail."
That sparked conversation on what the Commission and pool management could do to enhance services. Director Darrell Huiskes said, "What's to be wasted if we give it a shot for a year?"
For many years, a more family-friendly water park with slides and a zero-depth entry have been on the list of wishes for the pool. Fitness center needs have been about updating equipment and adding more treadmills.
Huiskes said one possibility is to use a fund set aside for possible repairs to go toward immediate updates when membership rates increase. That could be close to $100,000 in new equipment, but that would have to be approved by the joint powers.
Huiskes also said that new Commission members can give fresh perspective to an operation that may have been in a rut after running smoothly for so many years. Promotional ideas and more services top his list of what would increase membership and revenue with no extra burden on taxpayers.
Glen Gust said, "I think taxpayers should fund recreation for the citizens, but it's getting out of hand."
This year, both the city and county will contribute $72,000 to the operations of the facility.
Gust favored requesting proposals because the Commission could at least gain ideas on operations from them.
Huiskes said, "I'm very proud of the facility. I think we should keep it the way it is and bring the fitness center up to par. If there has to be something done, I would support a sale. In no way, shape or form would I support a lease."
In the case of a lease, the county and city would maintain ownership, but the tenant would run the facility and may or may not replace current staff.
Liability would be mostly on the shoulders of the tenant, but as owners of the building, the city and county would carry some of that burden in the case of injury or death.
Other leasing issues that could be specified in the contract are capital improvements and maintenance.
Huiskes said he and the staff are very cautious about the pool chemicals and regular monitoring and maintenance. He worries about turning that over to someone else and keeping the same level of safety.
In the case of a sale, an estimated $50,000 in taxes would be generated and more money would be spent on utilities because of the commercial status.
Ken Hoime said that if the county and city decide to request proposals, it would be open to more than just the two parties that previously presented to the Commission. "Would it be fair to just look at two proposals? Is that enough?"
He also reminded the Commission of some background on the issue. Last year, it approved a 50-percent rate increase to help cash flow in the facility. After much public uproar at the sticker shock, the Commission rescinded that decision because only the county and city can increase rates.
The rate increase was set at 20 percent, but no commitment to greater services or equipment was promised, so the option of new management or ownership was brought up.
For now, all members will get a letter at the end of November explaining the 20-percent increase and giving them an option to end their contracts.
After reaction to that, the Commission may know more about which direction it wants to recommend the city and county take.