70 percent of facility users that went to Genesis Place three or more times per year are satisfied with the recreation centre.

That was one of the findings presented on Monday (June 5)  to City Council from a needs assessment survey by Tracy With at Banister Research, and an action plan from Genesis Place manager Greg Lockert.

677 pass holders and 985 non-pass holders completed the survey. Some notable findings revolved around cost and value. 77 percent of facility users felt that Genesis Place offers good to excellent value for their money. Annual pass holders in general felt they got good value, citing unlimited use of the facility and overall cost savings, among other things. Meanwhile, drop-in users felt they did not get good value for their money. Those that felt they received less value for their money felt passes are too costly. 

In the past, Council has brought up the possibility of going to a multi-tiered system for admission to Genesis Place, where different price points get access to different areas of the facility. Lockert explained that Genesis Place was originally concieved as a multi-use facility where one price got access to the entire centre. He said that they would look at a multi-tiered pricing approach if directed by Council, but there could be some ramifications.

"The biggest thing I think for myself, is all of a sudden staffing becomes more of a policing. Did you pay to be in this area, have you paid to be in this area?"

The survey also found that 79 percent of people were satisfied with customer service at at Genesis Place, but frusterations with the website and cleanliness of change rooms and bathrooms was a major concern. Specific to the website, people said that registering for programs and classes like swim lessons is a headache.

Lockert said they are looking at a variety of options to maintain cleanliness, including outsourcing janitorial services or closing certain change areas for up to twenty minutes to do a full cleaning each day.

"What we're looking at is how do we continue to meet a standard of cleanliness with the change rooms being very, very busy, up to or over a hundred people at peak times, and how do we get in at those times, if those are a two or three hour span and actually do a cleaning."

Another area of concern for users of Genesis Place was swim lessons. With explained that swim lessons and aquatic programs were most frequently mentioned as being at capacity. Lockert explained they currently sit at about 93 percent capacity with their swim lessons, and prime times are always full. With a young and growing community, capacity issues will continue, and Lockert said a new pool could be a solution.

"I think that comes down to the Council and the community with the intent to build a new pool. We are looking at purchasing land and building another facility that may contain a pool. It's how does that all hook together. Does it include a library? Does it include some kind of a civic centre. What does the community need to move forward and meet those capacity issues."

City Council accepted the presentation of the survey findings and the action plan for information.

 

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