By Sara StrongThe Rock County Pool and Fitness Center is holding steady with its membership, but with tight county and city budgets, the Pool Commission is keeping its mind open for ways to increase revenues.August marks the end of a 10-year agreement with Luverne Community Hospital to use the facility for its physical therapy, or rehabilitation department.At the time of the contract, the hospital paid $20,000 to use the pool and fitness areas for its patients. It pays the fees for lifeguards on duty in the pool during pool therapy too. In any given month, an average of about 55 therapy patients use the facility.Commission member Damon Eisma and manager Carol Wessels will talk to the hospital and help start negotiations for a new contract. Commissioner Ken Hoime said he thought the Pool Commission should look at a rate schedule for members. The membership is increasing, but hasn’t quite caught up from the loss of members during the last rate increase of 20 percent.Until the county and city of Luverne get better budget numbers from the state, it’s difficult for the Pool Commission to know what its budget looks like.Hoime said, "I’m a strong proponent of the place and I’d like it to stay affordable, to be family friendly."
