HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-021 - Kiwanis Park Operating Over Expenditure
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Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Community Services Committee
February 19, 2007
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Denise Keelan Interim Director of Aquatics and Athletics
Denise Keelan Interim Director of Aquatics and Athletics
( ext 2706)
All
February 14 , 2007
CSD-07-021
Subject:
KIWANIS PARK OPERATING OVER EXPENDITURE
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
REPORT:
The City of Kitchener and Kiwanis Club has a contractual agreement to share the costs to
maintain and operate Kiwanis Park. An Athletics and Aquatics account covers such costs as
pool chemicals, paint, plumbing supplies and Facilities Maintenance wages. By agreement,
Facilities Management and Kiwanis summer pool staff share the responsibility for balancing the
chemistry of the public pool.
The Kiwanis Club operates the park each summer using club volunteer hours and paid staff.
Their revenues include the admissions, rentals and picnic sales. Expenses they incur include
lifeguard, maintenance and gatehouse wages. Their expenses also include grass cutting, hydro
and operational maintenance.
A review of Kiwanis Club financials takes place at year end, whereby the Kiwanis club
reimburses the city based on any revenue surplus.
In 2006 several factors lead to the pool operating expenses to be greater than the amount
budgeted.
· In prepping the pool for the summer FM staff paint the pool surface with a diluted algae
resistant paint. As a cost saving measure the paint is diluted by 500/0. The effectiveness
of the paint is reduced as a result of this dilution.
· The Region of Waterloo Health Department regularly inspects the Kiwanis Park pool. In
2006 the Health inspector demanded that the algae growth visible in the pool be
eliminated. To comply with this request Kiwanis staff increased the amount of chemicals
added in order to eliminate the algae problem. Summer staff spent considerable hours
vacuuming the pool to also combat the algae. $23,000 was spent on Algaecide alone.
· In June and early July when the pool was initially filled and balanced, the air temperature
was abnormally hot. This contributed to the need for an increased amount of chlorine
and stabilizer.
Report No: CSD-07-021
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· The pool circulation system has no filtration component. Without a filtration system there
is a greater need for pool chlorine and other chemicals to keep the water safe and
balanced.
· Fresh water is added daily and 20 % of the water is run off as the chemicals are
absorbed through evaporation, wind and bather usage.
As a result of these factors the pool operating supplies for 2006 were considerably overspent.
Pool chemical costs alone totaled $43,000.
The Kiwanis Club financial statement at year end showed a loss for the summer of $4,992.
Their wages for lifeguards and grass cutting expenses were overspent. Therefore, in 2006 they
had no funds to contribute to the operating costs of the pool.
Next Steps
In 2007, FM and A& A Divisions will share the cost to purchase enough paint to fully cover the
pool tank. The paint will not be diluted and will aid in the algae elimination.
Staff believes the pool maintenance operations, specifically the balance of chemicals should be
taken over by the City of Kitchener Facility Maintenance. This will ensure that the pool chemistry
is controlled by trained pool operators.
The Health Department has expressed a concern that this pool requires a filtration system in
order to comply with the current Health Regulations.
While Kiwanis Club volunteers and staff are ideally in favor of adding a filter system to the pool,
staff (A& A and FM) will conduct a review of the Kiwanis Park pool operations to determine the
best financial solution and environmental solution for addressing the management of algae.
Staff will explore options related to continued chemical usage vs. the feasibility of adding a
filtration system to the existing pool. A complete review of the current water balance and
circulation of the pool will take place in 2007.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Total operating costs for the city in 2006 were $89,931. The amount budgeted was $48,390.
The difference of $41 ,541 may be offset by a separate Aquatic budget. This budget is the Class
automated account. It was under spent due to contract services being paid out a year earlier.
The review of Kiwanis Park pool in 2007 will be staff directed. Costs for consultants will be
minimized and shared between FM and A & A. Staff will bring forward the results of this review
to Council prior to 2008 budget considerations.
For the 2007 summer season, staff is anticipating the costs for managing this issue will impact
on their operating budget by $ 13,000. The paint cost to cover the entire tank will be shared
between FM and Athletic and Aquatic budgets to minimize the impact. As a result in using the
concentrated paint use, the amount of chemicals needed should be considerably reduced.
Kiwanis Park staff will initiate cost saving measures such as closure of the park in August at an
earlier date, and reduced hours of operation during inclement weather. These initiatives will
assist in the park operating within their budget and align the club to allow for shared expenses.
Denise Keelan
Interim Director of Aquatics and Athletics
AP