Foster City adopts business plan for $65M community center; consultants project rental revenue and staffing needs

The Foster City Council approved a business operations plan and financial pro forma for the new Foster City Community Center, a roughly $65 million facility that will replace the existing center and add rental and program space.

Consultant Michael Spetz of PROS Consulting presented the operational assumptions underpinning the plan, including projected staffing levels (about 11.27 full‑time equivalent positions), an operating budget near $3.7 million and the expectation that the Lagoon Event Hall will provide the bulk of rental revenue. The pro forma projects a six‑year cost‑recovery rate of roughly 57% and an estimated annual general fund subsidy of about $1.6 million in the early years, representing a net decrease in subsidy relative to the old facility, the consultant said.

Council discussion and safeguards: Council members praised the planning detail but urged caution on revenue projections, asked to see the consultant’s underlying market analysis and requested clarity on private‑public partnership terms and any pass‑through costs to the city (utilities, maintenance, custodial). Several councilmembers emphasized the need to treat the event hall as an operational business unit, recommending a full‑time rental coordinator with business/sales skills.

Outcome and next steps: Council adopted the business operations plan and directed staff to provide the market analysis and more details on private‑public partnership cost implications and marketing strategies. Staff also said temporary facilities (the Vibe and Community Center Annex) will continue to support programs while the new building is completed.