Committee forwards $21,545 donation from Simon's Foundation for recreation center equipment

The Richland County Finance Standing Committee voted to forward a resolution to the full county board to accept $21,545 in donations from the Simon's Foundation for equipment at the recreation center.

Mr. Hardy told the committee the donation covers two replacement treadmills (totaling a little over $10,000), two replacement recumbent steppers (a little over $10,000), one of which is wheelchair-accessible, and approximately $800 in hand weights. He said the amount represents roughly half of a $50,000 pledge the foundation is making to support the facility this year.

Derek (interim administrator) and others said the donations and recent facility investments have driven membership growth: membership rose from about 1,700 last August to more than 2,300 at the time of the meeting — an increase of roughly 600 members over six months. Committee members noted a rise in 12-month, up-front memberships and an increase in autopay enrollments, both of which provide predictable revenue streams.

Supervisor Turk made the motion to move the resolution forward; Supervisor Cooley seconded. After brief discussion and a correction to the resolution language (noting a line item should read “2 steppers”), the committee voted in favor by voice vote.

The resolution will be placed on the county board agenda for final acceptance of the donation.