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Olivette rec center: rentals and donations offset slower membership start, staff say
Summary
Although membership numbers trailed original projections after a delayed opening, staff said strong facility rentals and private donations have helped revenue; a member offered to fund replacement pickleball nets through the city foundation.
City staff told the Parks & Recreation Commission that the recreation center opened in November rather than the originally projected July, leaving some membership targets below projection. Staff said rentals of meeting rooms, gym space and the kitchen have exceeded expectations and have materially supported overall revenues.
TJ and Patrick described rental activity ranging from birthday parties to weddings and reported strong demand for playground rentals and gym space; staff said one of the rental formats can accommodate about 200 people in the gym with smaller multipurpose rooms serving 28–59 seated depending on configuration. Staff also said the center has made progress on online booking so repeat in-person tours are reduced.
On donations, commissioners discussed new memorial benches installed in parks and the practicalities of promoting and accepting gifts. Staff said the city foundation can accept private donations and that a community member indicated willingness to cover roughly $5,000 to replace three pickleball nets as an anonymous gift routed through the foundation. The commission encouraged staff to create an easier online donation path (bench fund) to streamline gifts for park amenities.
Because the June 26 meeting did not reach quorum, no formal budget or appropriation votes were taken; staff said financial adjustments and any gift acceptance policies will be presented for formal action at a future meeting.
