HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Future Use of Emerald Glen Activity Ctr It
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A�� AGENDA STATEMENT
PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: February 23, 2009
SUBJECT: Future Use of the Emerald Glen Activity Center
Report by Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks &
Community Services
ATTACHMENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION: Receive report and recommend to City Council to discontinue
leasing Building `B" after August 2009, or provide alternate
recommendation.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: The City Council has a high priority objective to evaluate options
for the operation of the Emerald Glen Activity Center following the opening of the new Shannon
Community Center. In addition to the increased cost to operate the new Shannon Community Center,
continuing to operate the Activity Center will also increase the net cost to the City.
As requested, Staff has analyzed the need for future use of the Activity Center buildings. Following is
background information about the Activity Center and an overview of the Staff recommendation to
discontinue the operation of Building`B"after August 2009.
BACKGROUND
The former Shannon Community Center was closed in June 2004 due to problems resulting from water
intrusion into the building. On July 20, 2004, the City Council directed Staff to install two modular
buildings in Emerald Glen Park to serve as interim Community Center facilities until a new Shannon
Community Center could be constructed at Shannon Park.
Building "A" of the Activity Center has two classrooms that have been used for the Shamrock Preschool,
Tenderfoot and Camp Emerald Glen programs. These programs were formerly held at the Shannon
Community Center.
Building `B" has one multi-purpose room that has been used for a variety of recreational and cultural arts
classes that were formerly offered at the Shannon Community Center. Some programs and classes were
also relocated to the Dublin Library Community Room, Dublin Civic Center Regional Meeting Room and
Dublin Senior Center.
COPIES TO:
ITEM NO.: 8.1
WPARKS C0MMISSI0N\AGNDSTMT\2009\2-23 Activity Center.doc
Now that construction of the Shannon Community Center is nearing completion, classes will begin there
at the end of March, which is the start of the spring quarter. Staff plans to relocate all of the programs and
classes currently offered in Buildings A and B to the Shannon Community Center, with the exception of
the Shamrock Preschool, which will remain at Emerald Glen through June to minimize disruption for the
students. Camp Emerald Glen will also remain in Building A through August 2009.
Staff is confident that with the increased number of rooms, the Shannon Community Center will be able
to accommodate all of these programs with room for future growth (with the exception of the preschool).
Additionally it is anticipated that the Kolb ranch buildings at the Dublin Historic Park will be available on
a limited basis for classes and programs starting in 2010.
ANALYSIS OF NEED FOR MODULAR BUILDINGS
Prior to the opening of the new Shannon Community Center, Building A was well utilized with an
average of 40 hours of use per week. Additionally, the programs held in Building A were at full capacity,
with an average of 23 students per class. This may be due to the fact that there is high demand for
preschool programs in the Tri-Valley. During FY 2007-2008 there were 70 people on waiting lists for the
preschool programs and camps held in Building A.
In comparison, prior to the new Shannon Community Center, Building B was utilized an average of only
14 hours per week, with less than 10 participants per class. This reduced the revenue generated and
significantly increased the net operating cost for Building B. The lower amount of use for Building B is a
result of the cancellation of various contract classes due to insufficient enrollment. Additionally the
facility does not lend itself well to all activities. The Shannon Community Center will have more rooms
to better meet the different needs of various classes and activities.
If the City were to operate both Building A and the Shannon Community Center for preschool and youth
programs, Staff anticipates Building A would not be at full capacity as it is now because the market would
be split between two facilities. Currently about half of the preschool participants live closer to the
Shannon Community Center and the other half closer to Emerald Glen. Additionally, two new licensed
preschool childcare programs will be opening this year at the former Nielsen Elementary School site
(including Kidango and Montessori).
Based on the current demand for preschool programs, Staff believes there is enough interest to make the
operation of Building A viable in the future. Based on the low amount of use for Building B there does
not appear to be enough demand to justify continuing the operation of that building in the future.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternative 1 is to remove both modular buildings as was planned when the installation was approved by
the City Council in 2004. As noted earlier Staff is confident that the new Shannon Community Center
and Kolb ranch buildings will be able to absorb the existing programming and have room for future
growth. The buildings at Emerald Glen would be removed by Mobile Modular. The site would require
some rough grading and the utilities would need to be prepared for non-operation. Removing both
buildings could save the City approximately $65,000 annually in operating costs.
Alternative 2 is to remove Building B and retain Building A to provide space for the expansion of classes
and camps for preschoolers and youth. There will not be space at the Shannon Community Center to
expand preschool enrollment, which is currently at full capacity with a waiting list of over 30 students.
Staff anticipates demand will continue to increase for the Preschool despite the slowdown of residential
development in Dublin. According to statistics, there was a nationwide mini baby-boom for births in
2007. The recent increase in demand for preschools in the Tri-Valley may be a result of this mini-boom.
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Building A has two classrooms and was designed with preschool sized amenities such as toilets and sinks.
There is also a fenced in playground area with access from both classrooms. Therefore it is well suited
for youth programming. Staff estimates the annual operating cost in the first year for Building A would
be approximately $25,000. This is based on registration for preschool programs being at 60% of total
capacity.
SUMMARY
The Emerald Glen Activity Center was established as an interim recreational facility and has been a well
received addition to community. Since opening in 2004, registration for programs in Building A has
grown to over 860 annually. Building A has been utilized over 40 hours per week and the classes are at
full capacity with waiting lists. Conversely, Building B has not been as well received as other
Department facilities, averaging only 14 hours of use per week and having a higher cancellation rate for
classes due to lack of enrollment.
It is expected the current economic recession will reduce revenues for the City. Continuing to operate
Building B would increase this burden by adding $40,000 in net cost annually. Staff estimates the net
cost to operate Building A is $25,000 annually based on a 60% enrollment rate. If enrollment increases,
Staff anticipates the additional enrollment fees could eliminate the net operating cost for Building A.
Therefore, Staff recommends Alternative 2, which is to retain Building A for a one year period to
determine if there is sufficient demand to continue operation of the preschool at Emerald Glen Park. If
there is sufficient demand the preschool could remain in operation in the modular buildings until
construction begins on the future Emerald Glen Community Center. At this time, it is unknown when that
project will commence.
If the Commission and Council concur with the recommendation to continue operation of Building A,
Staff will prepare cost estimates to offer preschool at Emerald Glen beginning in the fall for City Council
consideration as part of the annual Goals and Objectives process.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Services Commission
receive the report and recommend to City Council to discontinue leasing Building "B" after August 2009,
or provide alternate recommendation.
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