About the Department
Responsibilities
The Sanibel Recreation Department operates City recreation facilities and programs including the aquatics program, childrens and athletic programs, and the seniors program.
2009/2010 Goals and Objectives
Goal #1 Financial Stability. Effective and creative promotions and marketing to increase membership and programming. Upgrade the facility rental promotions and continue to review expenses, charts and on going reporting. Quality control along with Fiscal control. Always look at way to increase revenue and reduce expenses. Monitor numbers in classes and programs and make appropriate adjustments to staff or expenses.
Goal #2 Membership growth and retention. Effective and creative marketing. Strive to maximize use of the Recreation facilities through creative scheduling and class offerings. Market new classes with community wide electronic and personal delivery of program information. On going letter campaign for renewals with follow up phone calls. Keep track of reasons why people do not renew. Phone a thon in December with follow up phone calls in January, February and March (Our biggest new member months). Have membership/facility information at all off site special event activities.
Goal #3 Program expansion and retention. Increase programming partnerships, such as school or outside organizations. Look first at featuring the Recreation Center at a higher level. Ensure that Fitness Instructors and all staff are “Selling” the Recreation Center programs, whether in pre program announcements or at the front desk. Continue to look at ways to enhance current programs, such as After School, Fun Days, Holiday Camps and Summer Camp. This year make a special emphasis on upgrading the Teen Program with new ideas and activities. Also, involve the Senior Center participants to activities at the Recreation Center, whether through special events or weekly program opportunities.
Goal #4 Parks and Recreation and Financial Assistance Committees. Continue to provide timely and quality information for the Parks and Recreation Committee agendas. Complete development of the revised Financial Assistance Application and bring forward information for Committee review bi weekly, whether it is applications or other information to enhance the Committees quality function. Working with Administration and Volunteers, provide staff planning and assistance for the development and production of the New Years Eve fund raising event for Financial Assistance. Fund raising goal should be enough to cover all requested community assistance during the budget year.
Goal #5 Community and Shared Use Path review. The Parks and Recreation Committee will continue to have this important issue on the agenda for review. Education of the shared use path opportunities should continue on the city web page and power point presentations, on going at the Recreation Center. Review with the P&R Committee other areas of concern and request to research or pursue.
Goal #6 Water Quality Education. Continue to display the power point presentations on the Recreation Center Power point. Include in After School education, art work or special event participation.
Goal #7 Volunteer Program. Continue to seek and train volunteers for on going programming and special events. Added this past year was a successful Junior Volunteer program. Continue to enhance this program. Working towards final review of the new Application from Legal for implementation. Recognize Volunteers twice a year. Once in March and the other In August, after Summer.
Final summary. The main goal for 2009-2010 is to provide the best quality services to the City of Sanibel and Island visitors through quality recreation services, with customer service in the forefront, safety, new programs, health screenings, on going staff training and special event participation for a strong community presence.
2009 Accomplishments
| Expanded Programming, Special Events and Health Screenings. Received approval of 22 new programs for new fiscal year. | In partnership with City staff received approval and implemented fourteen new programs, (i.e., Fun Days, Extended Care, Tennis Lessons, and Round Robin). Expanded aquatic programming (i.e. doubled water aerobics classes, added youth lap swim program, water Pilates, private water fitness instruction) Held special events, including the New Year’s Eve Sock Hop. In addition, twelve health screenings were offered and available to members and the general public. Starting 22 new fitness programs in October at the Recreation and Senior Center for membership growth and value. |
| Reduced Expenses | Reduced budget by spending 3% less than budgeted expenses. 97% of budget expenses for the Department. |
| Exceeded Revenue Expectations Year-to- Date | Exceeded revenue expectations year-to-date by approximately $391,000. |
| Merchandise / On and off site | Point of sale has been established in the management software. Items are now available for purchase that promote the facility and/or offer convenience while using the Center. Expanded from current offerings and have collected over $4,000 which proceeds go toward Financial Assistance. Off site event promote the facility and increase revenue. |
| Membership Renewal Drive / Retention | Last December Membership drive was a success with 64% YTD membership renewal. This is above national average. |
| Growth Tracking | Worked with City Manager and Finance Department to develop a system that follows membership growth (renewals and new members) as well as total revenue for comparison. This is used weekly and provided in Committee reports. |
| Community Partnerships | Developed positive relationships with community partners; Sanibel school, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Golf Sanctuary and various businesses by personal contact. Expansion planned. |
| Staff meeting and communication | Hold weekly staff meetings and special planning sessions in order to have the best communication we can and work towards improved programming. |
| Send out monthly letters for Membership renewal and follow up with phone calls, keeping track of reasons for renewal and non renewal. | Calls made by recreation staff and volunteers provide direct contact with the members to get a good feel for their satisfaction and ideas for improvement. |
| Positive working relationship with City Administration and staff, City Council, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee and the Community | Continue positive relations with Council and Committees with timely information and positive communication. A professional attitude and open door policy has benefited the department. |
| Parks and Recreation Committee and Financial Assistance Committee have been upgraded in representatives and work responsibility. | Parks and Recreation Committee members take a higher ownership with sub committees for further development and “buy in” with area reports. Financial Assistance Committee has improved with added community partners and regular scheduled meetings. Evaluation of in house application will strengthen our purpose and process. |
| Volunteer Program | Volunteer Program expanded. Increased volunteers and the opportunities/activities offered to the After School Program participants through use of talents and experiences the volunteers can share with the children. The new Junior Volunteer program has been popular with over a dozen new members. |
| Marketing by On site presence, News Release, Rec. Weekly, On line reports, services | Continue marketing programs and membership. Focus on public service and revenue growth. Community Health promotion with on going screenings. |
| Warranty Follow through | Worked with city staff to monitor the Recreation Center facility issues. Contractor replaced pool equipment and tennis court renovation, as well as other minor but important issues. |
| Went through bidding process for $60,000.00 of additional weight room equipment, as approved by Council. | With Membership and revenue growth, these funds were available to increase the number of weight room equipment needed to serve the patrons. |
| 2010 budget developed in great detail and the addition of 22 new programs for the Membership through RFQ process. | Detail work was produced by administrative staff on the budget and new classes put a higher value on membership. |
| On line registration implementation. | Worked with outside vendor, conducted research and worked with inner city departments to make on line registration available to Rec. Department Patrons. |
| Interlocal agreement | Worked on detail of budget and work provided by ball field maintenance workers. Provided outside vendor information and recommended change in staffing to save approximately $72,000. |
| Worked with Contract Service employee Helene Phillips on special projects | Completed extensive RFQ process for new Fitness Instructors and researched important information on the Rec Facility warranty and Interlocal agreement. |
| New Years Eve Event Planning | Work with City Manager, Volunteers and other city staff in the planning of an upgraded New Years Eve program. Have been available to assist volunteer Barry Roth with sign promotion program to increase financial assistance. |
| Senior Center addition of new Fitness Programs. | Worked with the Senior Center Director through budget process to increase Fitness programs and plan for future improvements |
| After School and Summer Program | With fewer registrations in these programs, adjustments were made in Counselor expenses in order to stay within budget guidelines. Program productivity remained. |
| Aquatics and other programs | Saw increases in Aquatics programs and special programs like dodge ball increased patron use. Tennis program is a success and Karate program continues as well. |
| Study Entire Parks System Master Plan/Shared Use Path Plan | For the purpose of long term planning study the entire Sanibel Parks System Master Plan/Shared Use Path Plan |
| Program Evaluation / Membership monitoring | Continue to evaluate programming areas, growth and expansion of membership |
Learn more about the Department (pdf 189.23 kB)
