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Numbers sluggish at Groveport pool
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - May 28, 2009)
Memberships to the Groveport Aquatic Center are off to a slow start this year.
Village Administrator Steve Morris told Groveport Village Council at its May 26 meeting that only 144 memberships have been sold so far this year for the Aquatic Center. This is down from the 1,236 memberships the outdoor swimming pool has averaged per year since 2004.
"It's alarming," said Morris. "We're really down this year and we don't know why."
"It's mind boggling," added Councilman Shawn Cleary.
Councilman Ed Dildine speculated the cool weather this spring has deterred memberships while Councilwoman Jean Ann Hilbert thinks the harsh economy is impacting membership sales.
Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Lund said that, though membership numbers are down for the start of the swimming season, people usually continue to purchase Aquatic Center memberships until well into the summer, which could improve the numbers. He said with this in mind the membership totals could be back to normal levels by the end of the season.
Morris said the village will step up its marketing efforts for the pool and try to offer some incentives to draw more memberships. Lund said a letter will be sent to 2008 pool members offering a day pass to the Groveport Recreation Center with a pool renewal.
The 450,000 gallon swimming pool, located in Groveport Park, begins its regular season on June 5. It will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1-7 p.m. on Sundays. For information about the Aquatic Center, call (614) 836-1000 or visit www.groveportrec.com.
While the pool numbers are down, Lund said the Groveport Recreation Center, as of April 30, had 4,786 members.
"This is right in line with the last couple of years," said Lund.
Of the rec center memberships, 74 percent are non-residents and 26 percent are residents.
Lund added people may enter to win a free individual three month membership to the Groveport Recreation Center. Four winners will be drawn June 8 at 5 p.m. To participate, complete an entry form and drop it off at the rec center's front desk.
In a related recreation matter, Morris noted that, in May, 4,000 rounds of golf were played at The Links at Groveport golf course.
"That's the most ever for one month," said Morris, who added revenues at the golf course are up by about $20,000 over last year.
Economic news
Economic Development Director Jeff Green reported that, "even in a struggling economy," some of the commercial buildings in the village's industrial parks that were vacant last year are now "100 percent occupied."
"One example is a multi-tenant facility at 5830 Greenpointe Drive that has been at least partially vacant since it was built 10 years ago and is now fully occupied by two companies - LKQ Racing Products and Mitsui-Soko, a third party logistics company," said Green.
In other economic news, Green said a meeting with developer Pizzuti and their architectural firm to discuss the proposed development at Main and Front streets was cancelled and has not yet been rescheduled.
Plans for the northeast corner of Main and Front streets call for a potential retail/office development that includes: two, 19th century style two story brick buildings with varied storefronts, one 200 feet long and the other 100 feet long; parking in the rear in the former Ohio and Erie Canal bed, as well as some spaces on Main Street, that would accommodate 146 vehicles; and a public space at the west end of the development at Main and Front streets.
The project, known as the Groveport Town Center, has been stalled for a couple of years now as officials point the finger at a rocky economy as the culprit in stymieing marketing efforts for the development.
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