- May 2, 2024
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The city once again is tumbling around the idea of a private company taking over.
Doug Thomas said he was glad the Leisure Services Board discussed having a private company take over the gymnastics program from the city at their Jan. 14 meeting.
He said it reminded him of why he started working to build local sports programs in 1978.
“Our purpose is to provide general recreation for the children,” he said. “We are a city service.”
Thomas, a board member, was opposed to the idea of a private company taking control, saying it was the city’s responsibility to make sure all citizens had access to sports. He was concerned about a private company fulfilling that obligation.
The city offers scholarships and reduced rates to those who qualify.
In December 2012, the city put out a request for proposals to take over the program after finding that participation in city-run gymnastics had dropped off, but no bids were received.
The idea came up again recently when Riptide Gymnastics, 1230 N. U.S. 1, requested the opportunity to partner with the city to provide gymnastics. The Leisure Services Board was asked to consider putting out a request for proposals so that all private companies could make a bid.
Hollie Terry, co-owner of Riptide Gymnastics, said all citizens would have a chance to take part, because they have scholarships, just as the city does.
“Nothing is sadder than seeing a child who wants to compete but can’t because their parents can’t afford it,” she said.
Board member Pam Connor said she was extremely impressed when she visited Riptides.
“The parents dropped the kids off and they couldn’t wait to get in there,” she said. “They jumped on the bars.”
Terry said her business needs space to grow and wants to partner with the city to provide recreation. She said it’s hard to find a building in Ormond Beach with a high enough ceiling to practice the sport.
Lori Tolland, who represents gymnastics on the board, was concerned about a company closing down.
“What if a company decides to close and move and take all their equipment?” she asked. “We’d have to start over.”
But board member Mike Mitchener said if gymnastics participation has gone down over the past five-year period, they are obligated to do something.
Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin said participation in all city sports has gone down in the past five years because of the recession, but is starting to pick back up.
City Gymnastics Coordinator George Postell said there was a loss of staff a few years ago and the numbers went down because there were not enough coaches, but now he has an assistant and they will be able to accept more students.
The board voted to not recommend sending out an RFP for gymnastics. Leisure Services is an advisory board for the City Commission. Their recommendations are sent to the commission, which makes the final decision.
The city subsidizes gymnastics at a cost of about $84,828 per year, the amount needed to run the program in addition to user fees that are generated. All recreational programs provided by the city, as well as The Casements and Performing Arts Center, require a subsidy from the city to operate.
