Late pool opening blamed for low pass sales

Almost three months after opening, the Hawthorn Woods Aquatic Center has failed to bring in as much pass revenue as expected, though the village says more money is on the way and costs are running under budget.

Season passes to the pool complex were expected to bring in $172,050 but instead netted $158,067. Daily admissions brought in $50,326 instead of a projected $71,200.

Village Finance Director Nancy Caine said in a memo to trustees the differences were mostly due to a delay in the pool's opening, originally set for June 1. The aquatic center opened June 24.

After the delay was announced, the village offered refunds or a free year's pass to those who had already bought passes. The cost of offering that free year -- $114,320 -- will come out of next year's budget.

"It's just that we had the $114,000 deferral. … We're running a little short," Trustee Joanne Weick said.

Caine said the village did not put the expected $75,000 into the capital reserve fund, and expenses, including the park director's salary and any August invoices, haven't yet been recorded. But, she said, expenses, now at $161,502, are lower than the expected $269,625.

"I'm hoping nothing else comes up," Caine said.

Hawthorn Woods Mayor Keith Hunt pointed out the village is still waiting on concessions revenue that is paid quarterly. The village gets 20 percent of the sales generated by a Culver's stand in the aquatic center, he said.

Caine added the village brought in more money than expected from swim lessons and birthday parties.

Village Director of Recreation Kim Lynch said the village is also in the process of finding ways to make more money.

"I think it's an underutilized facility at the moment," Lynch told the board. "Going forward, we'll say, 'This was highly successful.'"

Hunt points out the expenses at the pool are still about $50,000 under its $5.9 million construction budget.

"I'm not at all concerned," he said. "We're down to the last couple of bills coming in."