BOYLE — As the end of the calendar year approaches, budget season is underway for municipalities, and for councillors in Boyle, budget season means fielding the annual fiscal updates and funding requests from community groups.
The Nov. 20 meeting marked Peter Golanski with the Boyle Fitness Centre’s turn at the delegation table. As longstanding treasurer for the organization, Golanski’s report was brief but informative, and focused on positives for the gym over the last 12 months, as well as higher than previous expenses.
“We appreciate what you guys do, it’s an asset to our community so we gotta find a way to make it work and make sure it stays viable,” said Mayor Colin Derko.
One point of good news for the gym is the influx of new younger members sitting on the board, a change Golanski said he’s personally glad to see.
“We’re looking to the future,” he said. “Two years down the road, I’m going to be looking at giving up some of my duties there,” a comment that received lighthearted teasing from councillors that his job isn’t yet finished.
Between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 30 2024, the Boyle Fitness Centre brought in $58,837 in revenue, with a large majority — $40,220 — collected via membership fees. The village’s support in the form of $15,000, and $3,600 in rental fees charged to the youth centre made up the remainder of the incoming cash.
While revenue from membership fees reached over $41,000 last year, the slight decline is still positive for the centre. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, user fees collected dropped below the $30,000 mark in 2022, a time period Golanski called “dangerous waters” during last year’s update.
This year was also a more expensive one for the gym, with expenses outpacing revenue by more than $2,000. A total of $61,135 was spent this year, with dollars allocated towards capital projects and the basic necessities of facility operation.
The gym had to give up an extra $2,000 to the Canadian Revenue Agency after an error on a previous year’s taxes, and the painting project flagged as priority for 2024 currently has a price tag totalling $16,673, with finishing touches still needed, estimated to cost between $3,000 and $4,000.
“We purchased a new power mill, better known as a step climber,” said Golanski. Other new equipment in the gym includes a TRX (Total Resistance Exercise) system — suspension training equipment identifiable by its yellow straps with handles — kettlebells, and a new squat rack.
With other equipment coming due for replacement in the near future, Golanski was happy to report the centre had found a new outlet for less expensive machines.
“It’s a supplier who reconditions leased equipment and resells it for less than 40 per cent of its original cost,” Golanski told councillors. He said the gym saved $8,600 by purchasing a refurbished step climber, a machine he said would have cost $13,000 brand new.
Golanski also reported that the gym’s manager is undertaking training in order to offer new programming like kickboxing, yoga, and group classes.
In addition to an ask of renewed financial support for the upcoming year — with no specific amount requested verbally —, Golanski asked councillors to consider setting money aside for a complete retarring of the gym roof, and further funds for an external paint job of the entire building.
Councillors opted to refer the financial asks to upcoming budget deliberations, but did offer Golanski and other board members food for thought when it comes to reducing expenses.
Derko noted councillors would consider donating in-kind services for lawn care, which cost the gym $700 this year, and suggested looking into switching their Telus phone package to reduce the $950 annual bill.
The mayor also asked administration to look into whether the gym can be put onto the village’s wifi network, which would eliminate another expense nearing $900 per year.
“Maybe we could help save some money that way,” said Derko. “Money is always hard to come by, but sometimes in-kind means just as much.”
