Sharonville Parks & Recreation reports record 2025 revenue; Gower Park master plan moves toward construction

Michael Blomer, Sharonville’s Parks and Recreation Director, told council on April 28 that the department posted its best year to date in 2025, with revenue finishing just over $548,000 against a goal of $460,000 and an overall cost recovery rate of about 24.2 percent.

Blomer said operating expenses rose year-over-year by roughly $188,000 but the department ended the year about $178,000 under its budgeted total. Utilities were the largest driver of expense increases, rising “24 and 1/2%” from 2024, he said. Blomer also described staffing levels — eight full‑time, 17 part‑time and roughly 20–24 seasonal employees — and emphasized program impact, citing partnerships such as Meals on Wheels (which provides free Monday meals to about 50 Sharonville seniors) and Silver Sneakers participation.

The department completed a number of facility improvements in 2025, including the start of a replacement of the original 2004 pool filtration system; Blomer said the new glass filtration provides cleaner water, lower maintenance and longer life expectancy. He also presented completed master-plan concepts for Gower Park and the Upper Grove and said construction at the Upper Grove is scheduled to begin in 2026 with Gower Park construction to follow in 2027.

“Through extensive collaboration, design, and community input, these plans have created a balanced vision for the future,” Blomer said, and he told council that Sharonville has received a $250,000 commitment from the Hamilton County Capital Budget Prioritization Task Force to support the project.

Councilmembers asked about additional opportunities for public input and timing. Blomer said the city will seek further public engagement only if schematic design changes are substantial, and he explained that federal grant restrictions and required consultations — including a six-month review with the Army Corps of Engineers for flood-plain issues and a process involving the U.S. Department of the Interior related to the grant terms — could affect schedule and design.

Blomer and council also discussed membership composition and non-resident usage; Blomer estimated active memberships at about 70 percent residents and 30 percent non-residents, with a large portion of non-resident usage coming from program-specific users such as Silver Sneakers participants and aquatics patrons. He noted a guest-fee increase from $5 to $10 set in April aimed at reducing transient pool crowding.

Blomer closed by thanking staff and volunteers and said the department will continue to prioritize program growth and community connection as the city prepares for the next wave of park construction activities.