Usage numbers at the Rotary Spirit Centre and Westlock Aquatic Centre were down in 2017 compared to 2016, according to a report prepared for town council last month.
In fact, in 2017 fewer memberships were sold at the Rotary Spirit Centre every month except March, May and July. For example, a comparison of January 2016 and 2017 shows a drop from 350 to 225 memberships purchased. Over the year, a line graph in the report shows a drop of about 370 memberships.
Paid drop-in rates however, were on the rise in the winter months of January, October, November and December.
“What that tells me is people are using the facility when they can instead of buying a membership and coming on a regular basis,” said director of community services Mike Butler, who presented the report to council in January.
There were 2,365 fewer membership scans at the Spirit Centre in 2017 than in 2016, falling from 31,933 to 29,568 individual scans. While patrons from the Town of Westlock actually went up slightly, those from Westlock County, Village of Clyde and elsewhere noticeably dropped.
Walking track usage, fitness class participation and user group usage is also all on the decline.
“I think the economy has a lot to do with it, for sure, the downturn in the economy, I think people are watching their dollars,” he said.
The Rotary Spirit Centre did host 15 large events in 2017 including the Boston Pizza Men’s Provincial Curling Championships, Canada 150 celebrations, volunteer appreciation night, volleyball, ringette and hockey camps and even pickleball tournaments. It was also well used by the local schools for tournaments and curriculum activities.
Full facility memberships for adults cost $61.55 monthly, or $495.35 yearly while the drop-in rate ranges from $3.95 for a child to $7.82 for an adult.
At the pool, drop-in rates are down significantly, falling from 5,567 in 2016 to 3,042 in 2017. About 37 per cent were from the town, while 28 per cent came from the county. Just five per cent hailed from Clyde and 30 per cent came from elsewhere.
Individual swimming lessons, on the other hand, increased by more than 1,000 between 2016 and 2017. In 2016, 36 per cent of the 5,539 swimmers came from the town and 28 per cent came from the county. Thirty-one per cent were from somewhere else, while four per cent were from Clyde.
In 2017 though, there were 6,742 individual swimming lessons — with 36 per cent coming from the county, 28 per cent from town, 33 per cent from elsewhere and three per cent from Clyde.
