Elgin fitness center to get $413,000 in new equipment

The purchase of new fitness equipment for The Centre of Elgin got the green light Wednesday after a discussion about whether it would boost membership and revenues.

The city council approved awarding a $413,900 bid to Fitness Connection to replace the equipment, most of it about 12 years old.

Council members also approved replacing three diving boards at The Centre's swimming pool at a cost of about $60,000.

The new equipment is made by Matrix, the same used by nearby competitors LA Fitness and Planet Fitness, Elgin Parks and Recreation Director Randy Reopelle said. It will be installed in about three months, he said.

“Our equipment does look old and does look tired,” Reopelle said.

Councilwoman Rose Martinez agreed. “The equipment has been ignored for too long of a time, and it's kind of embarrassing,” she said.

Councilman John Prigge questioned whether city staff members are looking hard enough at the facility's $800,000 or so yearly loss.

Revenues have dropped by $90,000 in the last four years, totaling just under $910,000 in 2014. Members also dropped in the same time frame from 3,480 to 3,096 in 2014.

That's why the equipment should be replaced, to better meet the needs of residents who expect modern, up-to-date equipment, City Manager Sean Stegall said.

Matrix provides good equipment at a good value, Stegall said. Most of the old equipment will be traded in, he added.

Also, Stegall pointed out, government typically loses money in providing services to residents. “Outside of golf and the water department, everything we do, we lose money at,” he said.

Reopelle — who's worked in five communities including Elgin — agreed that recreation centers lose money.

Prigge said he's OK with The Centre losing money, but wants staff to aggressively attempt to curb those losses.

“You should expect and demand from us to see better results (after the installation of the new equipment)” Stegall replied, adding a full financial analysis will be provided at the council's first retreat of the year in May.

Prigge asked if the rates charged by The Centre are competitive with other facilities.

Reopelle said the city takes that into consideration, but it's difficult to make a true comparison because of The Centre's size and its free amenities, such as a walking track.

Breaking even would entail dramatically changing The Centre by closing the areas open to the public and only keeping open the fitness area, Stegall said.

The Centre is a true family recreation center that offers a lot of amenities for families, Councilwoman Tish Powell said.

She also pointed out there are many criteria for picking a fitness facility, not just its equipment.

“Some people are never going to come back because maybe they joined a facility closer to where they live or where they work,” she said.