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The Center Recreational Facility Operations

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1. Why is the City of Bedford considering outsourcing the operational side of The Center?

Considering the high cost of subsidizing the operational side of the Center, it would be irresponsible if the City did not look at outside options/sources for providing these services.

2. How would the City be affected financially if it had to operate the Center?

The City would have to spend approximately $907,053 if the City operated the Center annually.

3. Why is the City only considering outsourcing the operations to the YMCA? Are there any other companies that would qualify to operate the Center?

The YMCA approached the City of Bedford with this idea, which is why City staff has had discussions with them. The City will went through a formal Request for Proposals (RFP), which was open to any entity that was interested in operating the Center. The YMCA of Fort Worth was the only organization to submit a proposal.

4. What are the rate benefits if the City chose the YMCA to operate the Center?

Membership Fees and Discounts:

• All Bedford residents will receive a 20% membership fee discount
• All available senior citizen discounts
• Financial assistance programs (for lower rates) for individuals that meet certain criteria. 
• No initiation fee for Bedford residents.
• No initiation fee for non-residents during the first six months

The City Manager, Mayor, and Council will present a plan to further reduce membership rates for residents, beyond the 20 percent discount, at an upcoming Council meeting.

Although final rates have NOT been determined, here's some information regarding a previously proposed rate structure.

An individual can save up to $27 on the monthly rates, if the YMCA were to operate the Center based on current rate proposals. A family could save up to $43; again, if the YMCA were overseeing the Center’s operations based on current rate proposals.

This is the monthly rate comparison, based on the current proposed rate structure from the YMCA:

	City of Bedford's Monthly Rates	YMCA's Monthly Rates	Monthly Member Savings
Adult (Resident)	$49	$38	$11
Adult (Non-Resident)	$75	$48	$27
Youth (Resident)	$41	$30	$11
Youth (Non-Resident)	$62	$38	$24
Family (Resident)	$94	$62	$32
Family (Non-Resident)	$120	$77	$43
Senior (Resident)	$41	$30	$11
Senior (Non-Resident)	$62	$38	$24

5. Why are other rec centers able to provide lower rates to their residents than Bedford has proposed for the Center?

One of the common questions Bedford has received is in regard's to the City of Grapevine's recreational facility and its rates. Grapevine collects almost triple the amount of sales tax that Bedford does, and has approximately the same population. The extra sales tax enables them to subsidize the operational costs so their membership rates are less. There are additional reasons why other Cities are able to offer lower rates. First, their rec centers are much older so their debt service costs are either minimal or non-existent. Second, those facilities typically don't offer the modern and wide variety of amenities that Bedford will offer. Finally, Bedford is still doing its due diligence to see if rates can be lowered any further. However, any subsidy will reduce the amount of funds that the City can use to provide other services.

6. How would seniors benefit from the City partnering with the YMCA?

The YMCA offers a wider variety of programs than the City of Bedford has historically provided. The YMCA has already determined what works well for senior programming and services through their many years of experience running recreational facilities.  As an example, the YMCA’s Silver Sneakers program, which would provide many, if not most, eligible seniors with a greatly reduced or free membership rate.

7. Would the City still have its senior programs at Old Bedford School?

Yes.

8. Would any City of Bedford employees be negatively affected by the YMCA operating the Center?

No. Employees will not be negatively impacted. However, if there’s no longer a demand for senior programs at Old Bedford School, the YMCA has agreed to hire any employees that are currently overseeing senior programming.

9. How long will the initial operations agreement be for between the City and YMCA?

The initial operations agreement is for five years. Either party can terminate the agreement, by providing a one-year notice. The City of Bedford estimates it would take a year to hire an experienced staff to meet the Center’s staffing needs.

10. How will the City of Bedford hold the YMCA accountable?

The contract between the City and any outside entity approved to oversee the Center’s operations would contain performance measures, required monthly financial reports, an annual audit, in addition to regularly-scheduled presentations to the City Council. 

11. If the YMCA operated the Center, it’s understandable the facility will need to have signage with the YMCA brand on it. How will the City of Bedford and YMCA co-brand the Center?

The City is still working on these details, as the City does not have a finalized agreement in place with the YMCA. More information will be posted when available. The City of Bedford will always have its logos and branding more prominently featured, regardless of partner.

12. What happens if the City no longer wants the YMCA to operate the Center?

The City of Bedford would provide a one-year termination notice and begin hiring professional staff to operate the Center.

13. If the YMCA operates the Center, what would they be responsible for?

The YMCA will exclusively manage the Center at Generations Park.

They will be responsible for:

• Staffing of the Center (and maintaining appropriate staffing levels)
• Maintenance, repairs, and janitorial/custodial service for the building
• All utilities, phones, internet, etc. and the associated costs.
• Maintaining the outdoor aquatics facility, including supplying pool supplies and chemicals.

14. Who would own the fitness equipment if the YMCA operated the Center?

The City of Bedford will own all fitness equipment.

15. What would happen to the existing YMCA building?

Regardless of whether the YMCA partners with the City of Bedford to operate the Center, YMCA officials have indicated they will close their Bedford facility.

16. How would the YMCA be incentivized to grow the Center’s membership?

The City will routinely monitor the financial performance of the YMCA as it pertains to the Center. If membership numbers grow stagnant, it will be taken into consideration as the City evaluates the relationship moving forward.

17. If any YMCA member is able to use the Center, is there a concern members from outside Bedford would overrun the facility?

There is not a concern of non-Bedford based YMCA members overrunning the Center. Based on YMCA data that looks at how often members use facilities outside their home branch, City staff estimates approximately 10 percent of the Center visits will be from other YMCA branches.

18. Would the Center still have day passes for anyone wishing to use the aquatic facilities for a day?

The YMCA shall enable visitors to purchase day passes. Bedford residents will be allowed to purchase up to 10 guest passes per year. Non-Bedford residents will be allowed to purchase up to three guest passes per year.

19. Will there be fitness classes with the YMCA operating the facility?

There will be fitness classes and they will be included with regular membership.

20. Will the community be able to rent rooms at the Center?

Yes, the ability for the community to rent rooms will be incorporated into the agreement between the City of Bedford and the outside entity.

21. Will the YMCA be responsible for planning/conducting the City’s special events?

No. The City will continue to be responsible for planning and conducting our own special events.