Advisory requests more research before pursuing National Fitness Campaign court

Members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory reviewed information and reference materials about the National Fitness Campaign and asked staff to gather additional data from communities closer in size to Salina before the board considers including a project in next year’s budget.

Jeff, Parks and Recreation staff, summarized outreach to other Kansas communities and the usage data those communities reported. He said Coffeeville’s usage app showed 6,949 annual uses (app-captured events) and that Coffeeville’s population is about 8,842; Spring Hill had more recent installation data but limited long-term usage figures; Junction City did not return staff requests for data. Jeff cautioned that those counts reflect only users who log into the campaign app: “This is the information that they get from the app. Now and this is not all users,” he said.

On cost, Jeff indicated the city’s potential contribution for a standard installation (including the concrete pad) would be in a range of roughly $150,000 to $175,000, assuming grant eligibility for the rest of the funding. He said references did not identify ongoing annual maintenance fees beyond routine cleaning and minor upkeep, though he added that components such as awnings or shade structures could generate maintenance needs over time.

Board members voiced reservations about adoption without stronger evidence the amenity would be used widely. Concerns included reliance on an app that some older residents might not use, the need for programming to drive use, and whether Parks staff have capacity to provide that programming. One board member suggested the YMCA or other partners could provide programmatic support; Jeff said he had discussed potential YMCA interest but had not yet reached the YMCA contact.

The advisory did not take a final vote on the fitness court concept. Board members asked staff to collect additional usage data (particularly from municipalities similar in size to Salina), follow up with communities that already installed courts for multi-year usage figures, and report back; Jeff said his timing for a budget request is driven by the 2026 budget cycle.

Why it matters: staff flagged a meaningful upfront cost and noted that measured usage from other communities depends on optional app logins, which likely undercounts total users. The board’s decision whether to allocate funds or pursue partnerships would affect the parks capital budget and program responsibilities.

Follow-up: staff will seek additional data from comparable communities, confirm potential partner interest and provide more information for the advisory and, if requested, for the city commissioners in connection with the 2026 budget cycle.