Community center leadership updated the finance committee on construction progress, membership and near-term operating plans, saying the facility is on track for an opening sequence and that membership revenue is the primary operations driver.

"Our grand opening is November 1, we're doing a soft opening in October..." the community center director said, reporting more than 1,000 charter membership units (roughly 3,200 individuals) and ongoing hiring of part-time staff.

Why it matters: the community center is a major new facility for Fishers with programming for seniors, adaptive programs, aquatics, camps and sports; its operating model will rely on membership revenue, camps and corporate memberships. Staff forecast first-year operations will use a projected 2025 rollover to turn an initial operating deficit into a surplus for 2026.

Operational highlights:
- Charter memberships: more than 1,000 units (presented numbers from Monday) translating to about 3,196 individuals; staff said numbers continue to grow.
- Soft opening: October 20–31 for charter members; grand opening November 1.
- Staffing: full-time leadership hired; plan to hire approximately 175 part-time positions at scale.
- Programs: emphasis on swim lessons for young children, senior programming, adaptive programs, aquatics, fitness and sports leagues. Staff plan corporate membership offerings and contract work (camps now consolidated under the community center budget).
- Dog park: construction delayed; slated to open late spring 2026 to allow turf establishment.

Budget and forecast: the presentation showed a roll-up budget with operating revenue forecast at approximately $4.7 million and initial net loss before carryover of about $340,000; with forecasted 2025 carryover from delayed hires and other savings, staff forecast a $264,000 surplus in 2026.

Accessibility and community requests: staff said the center budget and construction are incorporating recommendations from Fishers advisory groups on disability access, including specialized aquatic chairs and other accessibility measures.

Ending: staff invited committee members to the grand opening and said they will continue refining revenue and staffing assumptions as programs scale.