Unmatched coverage: We are committed to covering community and government issues in the city of Huber Heights.
More coverage: For complete local government coverage in the region, visit MyDaytonDailyNews.com.
For the second year in a row, the Kroger Aquatic Center at The Heights suffered a loss in revenue and a decline in attendance, with the cool weather cited as the primary factor for the 2014 pool season.
After nearly 87,000 people visited the aquatic center in 2012 when it opened, attendance dipped to 29,282 in 2013 and 28,351 this year — "lower than we expected and hoped," Huber Heights assistant city manager Scott Falkowski said.
The aquatic center, located at 8625 Brandt Pike, lost $63,719 this summer.
“It’s the weather. It’s the truth,” Falkowski said. “It’s the one thing we cannot control. It was one of the coldest summers on record, and you don’t expect it to be like that and you can’t necessarily plan for it.”
The city-owned $7.5 million aquatic center — which is operated by the YMCA — opened May 24, and its last day was Sept. 1. The pool was closed 20 days this summer due to the weather, the same amount of days it was closed in 2013.
Combined over the first three years, the city has generated a net profit of $74,416. The total revenue for 2014 includes sponsorship money from Kroger ($30,000) for naming rights and Coca-Cola ($15,000).
“We think we had a great year out there,” said Dale Brunner, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Dayton. “We did a very good job controlling expenses to ensure the pool was under good support from the Y. It’s unfortunate the weather was what it was this summer.”
Falkowski said the city’s management contract with the YMCA expires at the end of the year. The city paid the YMCA $15,000 a year the first three years of the aquatic center.
Falkowski said City Council is expected to discuss the expiring contract with the YMCA, which also serves as the city’s parks and recreation department. Brunner said the YMCA has interest in continuing to manage the pool, and the organization considers Huber Heights a partner.
There are no plans to upgrade or make major improvements to the aquatic center, Falkowski said.
“We’re going to sit down and look at everything — prices, concessions, operations — to see if there’s anything we can improve on,” he said. “There shouldn’t be anything major on the expense side of things.”
Opinions on the aquatic center varied based on comments made on the Dayton Daily News Facebook page.
“I love it there,” said Christine Hedrick, from Dayton. “I won’t go to the Kettering pool since this place opened. It’s a farther drive, but well worth it. (It’s) relaxing. I was limited, though, this year due to the weather.”
Huber Heights resident Joe Isherwood, who has been outspoken against the city, said council should have known better because other municipal aquatic venues have lost money, notably Tipp City.
“Shame again,” Isherwood said.
About the Author