BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Some local private swim clubs are struggling to stay open as they watch competition grow and memberships drop sharply at their aging facilities.
Shiela Dalton, left, a diving coach at Eastgate Swim and Tennis Club in Mount Carmel, assists Penny Smith.
(Saed Hindash photo)
| ZOOM |
|
In Amberley Village and Union Township in Clermont County, clubs have nearly gone under recently. In Sycamore Township, Brookside Swim and Tennis Club saw its membership plummet to a record low last year. And while the club is seeing a slight rebound this year, that drop has some members fearing of the effects of a major expense. "Memberships haven't declined to a level that we can't pay bills," said Vernon Stultz, president of the Brookside club. "But I think the primary concern with any private pool with declining membership is, what do we do if the bottom of the pool cracks wide open?"
Many other clubs are flourishing, or at least holding their own, but some officials at those clubs concede that competition and other factors make the outlook uncertain.
Tom Woebkenberg, president of Montgomery Swim and Tennis Club, which opened a new center about seven years ago, said the club is healthy with a steady membership of about 350. But the competition for leisure-time hours "has created some issues we hadn't faced in the past. For now, we're doing OK, but we don't know what the future holds."
|
Cost of family memberships at some area private swim clubs:
Amberley Swim and Tennis Club, Amberley Village: $300, down from $450 last year. No initiation fee.
Brookside Swim and Tennis, Sycamore Township: $335, plus $100 initiation fee.
Eastgate Swim and Tennis Club, Union Township, Clermont County: $320. The $150 initiation fee is being waived this year.
Montgomery Swim and Tennis Club, Montgomery: $497.14, plus $1,200 initiation fee.
Clifton Meadows Swim Club, Clifton: $350, plus initiation fee of $530.
Lakota Hills Swim Club, West Chester: $325, plus $278 initiation fee.
Here are costs of family memberships at some area amusement - water parks:
Paramount's Kings Island: $259.95 for a family of four, add extras for $69.95 each through July 19.
Coney Island: $371 for a family of four or more.
The Beach Waterpark: $225 for a family of four.
Surf Cincinnati Waterpark: $59.95 each for the first two in a family, and $39.95 each for additional member.
|
Maintaining membership and revenue is "always a struggle," Mr. Stultz said.
There are far more entertainment options available than when many of the clubs opened in the 1950s and '60s. Youth sports, home computers, video games and shopping malls are among the draws. Places such as Paramount's Kings Island and its ever-expanding water park, Waterworks; The Beach; and Surf Cincinnati are enticing some private club members. And spruced-up municipal pools offer summer fun at more affordable prices.
Private club officials say their centers have much to offer, with two or three pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, concessions and picnic areas. But is it enough?
Amberley's membership dropped from a peak of about 200 to 125 last year, making it impossible to pay bills. The club has sold the property to the village and will sign a lease to continue operating the center for up to three years if sufficient membership levels are maintained.
Eastgate lost more than half its members since last year. The 37-year-old club barely managed to open this year. The club is in arrears on its mortgage and the property is up for sale.
Club officials mounted an intense, five-week campaign this spring and increased memberships from a low of 69 to 140.
"As for the future, we're taking it a day at a time," said Jane Woodruff, Eastgate publicity representative.
Brookside has lost half its membership in a gradual decline that began about 10 years ago, after reaching a peak of 350 in the mid-1980s. The club now has 180 memberships and expects to have 200 to 225 by month's end. That will provide enough income to cover expenses, with some money left over.
To counter the competition, clubs also are lowering rates and - or suspending or reducing initiation fees, upgrading the facilities, and even asking members to help with maintenance to reduce costs. By reducing rates and soliciting local schools, churches, synagogues and athletic organizations, Amberley's club managed to increase memberships to 143 this year, club President Matt Scherck said. .
The club used the $198,000 proceeds from the sale to pay off the mortgage and upgrade the facility.
Eastgate's aggressive membership drive was successful, but may provide only a temporary reprieve.
The club's peak membership was 210 about three years ago, and the problems began shortly thereafter, pool manager Curt Shaw said.
Property taxes nearly tripled in the past three years. Then in 1996, the board projected a gain of 40 family memberships, but lost 40 instead, Mrs. Woodruff said.
"That was a rude awakening," she said. It only got worse.
Late last year the board agreed to assess members $150 to fund needed upgrades and pay the bills to avoid possible foreclosure, Mrs. Woodruff said. That prompted a mass exodus -- 69 paid the fee, 85 bailed out.
Years ago there were fewer recreational options, "so going to the pool is just what families did. There wasn't much else to do," said Sue Carr, an Eastgate member. "Things have just changed so much now. It's really hurting the swim clubs."
Mr. Stultz agrees.
"All it takes is about two years of reduced memberships to have serious problems," he said. "We have a capital improvement fund, but it's not very big . . . not enough for a major repair. We're just keeping our fingers crossed."
