I would like to thank the Morgan Hill community for their
support of the new Aquatics Center.
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the Morgan Hill community for their support of the new Aquatics Center. There have been many challenges with the grand opening of the center and the public support and response was tremendous. It is our goal to provide programming that meets community needs, and customer service that is responsive and provided in a professional manner.
Unlike many municipal operated facilities, the Aquatics Center was built with a business plan that would require it to perform at 100 percent cost recovery. There will be no subsidy from the city’s general fund to cover the operating expenses. Council also wanted the facility to be affordable and community based, so the daily admissions fee was kept at a minimum to ensure that all community members could participate.
A recent letter to the editor expressed concerns about the “No outside food allowed” policy. This policy was established as part of the cost-recovery goals of the center with the concession area a main factor in keeping the entrance fees affordable and still reach our budget targets. We have made a concerted effort to provide for those patrons who prefer to bring their own food items to the site with the picnic area established at the entrance of the facility, or to tailgate. The alternative is to raise the entrance fees and have food brought in.
We have heard that the lines and wait at the concessions are too long and will be taking steps over the next few months to remedy this. We understand that special circumstances regarding food do occur and ask that you please bring it to the management’s attention when you visit our facility.
We will be taking steps to improve the picnic area over the next season. Thank you for your input, thank you for supporting the center, and we look forward to a hot summer next year. Any comments, suggestions or recommendations may be made to the Aquatics Center Staff at (408) 782-2134 or to myself at (408) 779-7271.
Julie Spier, Recreation & Community Services manager,
City of Morgan Hill
