Rixner questions Long Lines parties
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, February 10, 2006
City Councilman Jim Rixner questioned the advisability of allowing wedding receptions at the Long Lines Family Rec Center.
"I don't think we should be doing that," he said Thursday night during a review of the parks and recreation 2007 operating budget. "It takes away from the convention center."
When asked how many receptions have been held at the rec center, Terry Hoffman, parks and recreation manager, replied, "Very few."
He said not that many couples have rented the rec center for weddings. When they do, it is because they want a different environment than can be provided at the Sioux City Convention Center or another location. He said a number of people rent the rec center for birthday parties so the kids can use the courts to play basketball or soccer "and have birthday cake."
On Tuesday, the council reviewed the convention center budget, noting it was in the red because of fewer events held there the past few years.
Mayor Craig Berenstein pointed out, "We used to rent the Council Oaks facility. We don't do that anymore."
The city has closed the Council Oaks Community Center, at 1201 Council Oak Drive, which used to host various recreation programs.
"We are getting that clientele" at the Long Lines Center, Terry Hoffman noted.
Councilman Dave Ferris, who caters food from his Sneaky's restaurant, said, "I know more about wedding receptions than most people sitting in this room. There are places you can afford and there are places you can't afford. If someone is looking to book the Long Lines Center, I bet you the people going there are dressed in casual shorts and jeans and playing basketball. You wouldn't do that at Bevs', Kahill's or the convention center."
Terry Hoffman said five birthday parties were held at the rec center last weekend.
"That troubles me," Rixner said. "Why are we providing services such as that?"
The decision to host those parties was made after the rec center opened as a way to generate revenue for the building. The proposed budget calls for increasing revenues from $47,627 so far this fiscal year to $181,705 in 2007.
Total expenditures for the Long Lines Center proposed for 2007 would amount to $472,246 in 2007 compared to $308,420 this year.
In addition to hosting Siouxland Youth Athletics volleyball and basketball leagues, other events held at the Long Lines Center include baseball camps, practice sessions, business meetings, Greater Siouxland Soccer League, Freedom Fest concert, Mid-Step Fun Fest, day care activity days, promotions for Boys and Girls Scouts, After Prom parties, graduations, high school volleyball tournaments and youth wrestling tournaments.
A number of Hispanic families also hold their Quinceaera parties at the rec center to celebrate their daughters' 15th birthdays.
Judy Nicolls, field services director, noted the rec center's budget increased by $83,000 for the addition of the climbing wall and another $25,000 to pay for a contracted climbing wall supervisor. The wall is being installed on the stage area. Private funds are helping to pay the majority of the cost.
"This climbing wall will only triple the number of people using this facility," she predicted.
Rixner said, "I hope it generates enough revenue to be self-sustaining."
City Manager Paul Eckert said, "We're having as many as 10,000 people a month. We're creating that base of users."
The budget also calls for a 10 percent increase in swimming pool charges, Geoff Hubbard, recreation supervisor, noted.
Hubbard recommended increasing the admission fee from $1.75 to $2 at Lewis, Leeds, Leif Erikson and Cook pools and from $2.75 to $3 at the Riverside Aquatics Center. The passes would be increased in price, as well, such as from $30 to $40 for Riverside.
The budget calls for a decrease of $13,351 in heating the Riverside Pool next year. Hubbard said the pool hasn't been heated the last two years.
"I don't think we should be doing that," he said Thursday night during a review of the parks and recreation 2007 operating budget. "It takes away from the convention center."
When asked how many receptions have been held at the rec center, Terry Hoffman, parks and recreation manager, replied, "Very few."
He said not that many couples have rented the rec center for weddings. When they do, it is because they want a different environment than can be provided at the Sioux City Convention Center or another location. He said a number of people rent the rec center for birthday parties so the kids can use the courts to play basketball or soccer "and have birthday cake."
On Tuesday, the council reviewed the convention center budget, noting it was in the red because of fewer events held there the past few years.
Mayor Craig Berenstein pointed out, "We used to rent the Council Oaks facility. We don't do that anymore."
The city has closed the Council Oaks Community Center, at 1201 Council Oak Drive, which used to host various recreation programs.
"We are getting that clientele" at the Long Lines Center, Terry Hoffman noted.
Councilman Dave Ferris, who caters food from his Sneaky's restaurant, said, "I know more about wedding receptions than most people sitting in this room. There are places you can afford and there are places you can't afford. If someone is looking to book the Long Lines Center, I bet you the people going there are dressed in casual shorts and jeans and playing basketball. You wouldn't do that at Bevs', Kahill's or the convention center."
Terry Hoffman said five birthday parties were held at the rec center last weekend.
"That troubles me," Rixner said. "Why are we providing services such as that?"
The decision to host those parties was made after the rec center opened as a way to generate revenue for the building. The proposed budget calls for increasing revenues from $47,627 so far this fiscal year to $181,705 in 2007.
Total expenditures for the Long Lines Center proposed for 2007 would amount to $472,246 in 2007 compared to $308,420 this year.
In addition to hosting Siouxland Youth Athletics volleyball and basketball leagues, other events held at the Long Lines Center include baseball camps, practice sessions, business meetings, Greater Siouxland Soccer League, Freedom Fest concert, Mid-Step Fun Fest, day care activity days, promotions for Boys and Girls Scouts, After Prom parties, graduations, high school volleyball tournaments and youth wrestling tournaments.
A number of Hispanic families also hold their Quinceaera parties at the rec center to celebrate their daughters' 15th birthdays.
Judy Nicolls, field services director, noted the rec center's budget increased by $83,000 for the addition of the climbing wall and another $25,000 to pay for a contracted climbing wall supervisor. The wall is being installed on the stage area. Private funds are helping to pay the majority of the cost.
"This climbing wall will only triple the number of people using this facility," she predicted.
Rixner said, "I hope it generates enough revenue to be self-sustaining."
City Manager Paul Eckert said, "We're having as many as 10,000 people a month. We're creating that base of users."
The budget also calls for a 10 percent increase in swimming pool charges, Geoff Hubbard, recreation supervisor, noted.
Hubbard recommended increasing the admission fee from $1.75 to $2 at Lewis, Leeds, Leif Erikson and Cook pools and from $2.75 to $3 at the Riverside Aquatics Center. The passes would be increased in price, as well, such as from $30 to $40 for Riverside.
The budget calls for a decrease of $13,351 in heating the Riverside Pool next year. Hubbard said the pool hasn't been heated the last two years.
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