SL Fitness & Aquatic Center is a hit

Sat, Feb 6, 2010    to del.icio.us

If you build it, they will come.

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Retired Spring Lake Public Schools Superintendent Larry Mason didn't hear voices commanding him to build the Spring Lake Community Fitness & Aquatic Center like Ray Kinsella did in the 1989 hit movie, "Field of Dreams," to build a baseball field. But Mason had a pretty good idea that Spring Lake residents would embrace such a facility if it were built.

And they have.

The Spring Lake facility is on track to have 1,400 members by the end of the month, far exceeding the goal set by school officials.

Jason Epplett, the center's director, said a goal of 1,000 members was established in September 2008 when the facility first opened its doors.

"We felt we needed that many members to help sustain the operational costs of the facility," he said. "We're very pleased with how things have gone so far."

So are Mason and current SLPS Superintendent Dennis Furton.

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Taking a risk

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"We knew we were taking a risk when we asked voters to approve this," recalled Mason, who is currently in Mississippi doing volunteer work. "(Voters) were trusting us to do the right thing. But we (school officials ) felt it was a risk worth taking."

Mason admits that he was concerned that his replacement, Furton, might have to ask voters to approve a recreational millage to offset the operational costs of the facility.

Furton said he was also concerned. While he was impressed with the facility the first time he saw it, Furton said he wondered if there would be enough funds to maintain it.

Their fears, for now, have been set aside.

Furton, in fact, said the millage question has been put on the backburner.

"We could not imagine that membership would grow so rapidly," he said.

Furton and Epplett attributed the growth to fair pricing and excellent service.

"It's a great bargain," Furton said. "We priced it right."

Even if the district had to ask for a millage, Furton said it would be worth it because of the benefits the facility provides to the school district's students and community members.

Service stressed

"I really stress customer service — it's a big thing for me," Epplett said, "People are happy with the facility. I've had many compliments about our staff."

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The retention rate for members is at 76 percent, Epplett said, just above the national average of 75 percent.

Epplett said he is well aware of criticism that the Spring Lake facility can offer lower rates than other area fitness facilities because the Spring Lake building was built with taxpayers' dollars. But Epplett isn't buying it.

"This area needed another option," he said.

Furton agrees.

"We don't consider ourselves to be in competition with other facilities," he said. "We are trying to provide an affordable fitness and health center for our residents."

Annual costs for a family membership for Spring Lake residents is $600. It's $500 for couples and $300 for single adults. The fees are slightly higher for nonresidents.

Epplett is quick to point out that the fees don't include costs of programs and other activities that might be included at other fitness centers.

Facility's features

The amenities of the 66,350-square-foot facility also have helped attract new members and retain current members, Epplett said.

The fitness and aquatic center includes a competition swimming pool, a family pool with a 100-foot water slide and "lazy river," a 3,900-square-foot weight room, a state-of-the art cardio room, a rubberized running/walking track, multipurpose rooms for basketball and other sports, and a hot tub and steam room.

Epplett also said there are group exercise programs, water aerobics and personal trainers available.

"A lot of people don't realize that we offer day care services," Epplett said.

Shoreline Sports & Spine Therapy of Ferrysburg has an office in the fitness center and works with athletes and members, as well as helping train staff members.

Epplett stressed that promoting wellness and health are important functions of the fitness and aquatic center.

The center also is building a relationship with area businesses and organizations to promote use of its facilities. Epplett said there has been an increase in the number of parties at the facility.

A balancing act

Because Spring Lake High School athletes and community members often use the facility at the same time, Epplett had to work hard in trying to juggle schedules, and to keep community members, coaches and athletes happy.

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"There were some issues at first, but we've been able to work things out," Epplett said. "All in all, everyone has been great about it."

Spring Lake High School Athletic Director Cavin Mohrhardt agrees.

"It was rough at first, but we've made a lot of progress," he said. "It's not perfect yet, but the community and the kids have been pretty good (about sharing the facility)."

Exploring a fitness center

It was in 2005 when then-Superintendent Larry Mason announced that he was exploring building a fitness and aquatic center. He knew the school district was in need of a swimming pool, so he wanted to look at options that could make building a pool more affordable to taxpayers. Mason appointed a committee of staff and community members to research the idea.

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Mason and committee members visited three school districts on the east side of the state that already had such facilities. From those visits and other information, the school district was able to develop a bond issue package.

In May 2006, district voters were asked to approve a $17.6 million bond issue to construct a fitness and aquatic center adjacent to the high school. The millage passed 1,555 to 924, and the Spring Lake Fitness & Aquatic Center officially opened its doors in September 2008.

"We really felt this would work in Spring Lake," Mason said.

Current Superintendent Furton said he isn't surprised that the facility has been popular with residents — and even nonresidents.

"This is a beautiful facility and it is well-maintained," he said. "It's also a great bargain.

New equipment

Furton and Epplett are now exploring purchasing more equipment for the cardio room. Epplett said use of the room has increased 15-20 percent, necessitating the need for more equipment.

Should membership continue to grow at a rapid rate, Furton said funds can be set aside and put back into the facility.

"We're thrilled with the way things have gone," Furton said.

Apparently, so are the center's members.