Home / Business / $1M fitness center coming to Safety Harbor Community Center

$1M fitness center coming to Safety Harbor Community Center

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The Safety Harbor Community Center is located at 650 9th Avenue N.
The City Commission recently agreed to allow a consulting firm to oversee the construction of a new 2,700-sq.-ft. fitness center at the Safety Harbor Community Center, located at 650 9th Avenue N.

Last fall, the Safety Harbor City Commission shelved a proposed $1 million renovation of the Community Center that would have added a state-of-the-art fitness center to the facility, located at 650 9th Avenue North.

On Monday night, the new commission gave the go-ahead to move forward with the project, approving a $91,000 contract with a consulting firm to handle the design and permitting.

“If we commit the $91,000, we’re committing to moving forward with it,” Mayor Joe Ayoub explained during the discussion on the agenda item.

“We’re not going to spend $91,000 and then put the brakes on.”

The decision paves the way for the construction of a 2,700-sq.-ft., glass-walled fitness center, which would operate on a key fob system and feature more than $100,000 in new equipment, plus new training classes and programs as well as minor renovations to the lobby.

“Since the reopening of the Community Center after the addition in 2003-2004, there have been several…people just coming through the door with that expectation of a fitness center,” Recreation Superintendent Shannon Schafer said during the discussion on the agenda item. “They’re coming in and asking what’s the membership and looking for it.”

Schafer explained that results of surveys staff conducted revealed a new subset of potential users.

“The results showed us a high percentage of potential users ages 30 to 55, which was interesting to us…because those are our parents that are attending our children’s programs,” she said.

“They’re not really active users with us, (but) a fitness center would engage that age group into a more active user group.”

SH Community Center
A digital rendering of the proposed renovation of the Safety Harbor Community Center. The project is projected to include the construction of a 2,700-sq.-ft. fitness center, complete with $100,000 in new equipment, a full glass wall on the southeast corner of the Ninth Avenue North facility, as well as new classes, programs and other improvements. (Graphic: Cardno)

According to Schafer, the fitness center would offer daily, monthly and annual fees for residents and non-residents and would be free to use for city employees.

Based on comparison studies conducted with similar facilities in the area, staff estimated the fitness center would bring in $45,000 in revenue (based on 300 annual memberships) in the first year, with an estimated $17,000 in expenses.

Much like the first time it was discussed, the idea of improving the community center was embraced by the commission.

Safety Harbor City Commissioner Cliff Merz.
Safety Harbor City Commissioner Cliff Merz.

But with an estimated total price tag of $1.041 million, including over $660,000 in construction costs, and the future of the county’s sales tax in doubt, Commissioner Cliff Merz expressed reservations about allocating future funding for the project prior to the upcoming budget work sessions this summer.

“At the prior time, my one concern was the fee, but aside from that my question would be the Penny,” Merz said, referring to the Penny for Pinellas countywide sales tax, which provides communities with Capital Improvement Project funds and could be discontinued in 2020 following a referendum this November.

“If we approve and lock this in right now, that really sets monies that are no longer present from a budget aspect,” he added.

“There’s only so much money available, and to allot (so much to) one, that precludes us from (doing) other things.”

City Manager Matt Spoor explained there are funds already set aside for the project—$200,000 this year and $285,000 in FY 17/18—as well as more than $833,000 in capital fund reserves, some of which could be used for this project.

“According to what was approved this last (budget) go-around, there’s excess fund reserve in Penny dollars for capital projects,” Spoor said. “How you choose to use that money is up to the commission.”

He also noted the center is scheduled for $200,000 in roof repairs, which is a separate project and was not part of this discussion.

An artist’s rendering of interior of the 2,700-sq.-ft. fitness center that is being proposed for the Safety Harbor Community Center. (Graphic: Cardno)
A digital rendering of interior of the 2,700-sq.-ft. fitness center that is being proposed for the Safety Harbor Community Center. (Graphic: Cardno)

Mayor Ayoub, Vice-Mayor Carlos Diaz and Commissioner Andy Zodrow all expressed support for the proposal, although Diaz questioned whether the facility, which already plays host to a wide variety of special events, would eventually outgrow its location.

“I’m a proponent of the project,” Diaz said. “My concern is, if this really takes off in 4-5 years, we may need something bigger.”

The mayor concurred, but said he believed the project was the right one at the right time.

“I also like the project. I see the potential for outgrowing it,” Ayoub said. “I think it’s gonna take off, I think it’s gonna get a lot of use.”

“We can wait and do more analysis and brainstorm how to make it bigger,” he continued. “But I think we’ve got a pretty good plan in front of us. We’ve got numbers behind it…and I’d like to see this move forward.”

Ultimately, the item passed by a count of 3-1, with Merz voicing the ‘nay’ vote. (Commissioner Scott Long was not present due to a previously scheduled absence.)

After the meeting city officials spoke about the project, which is expected to come before the commission for approval early next year and is estimated to be completed by November 2018.

A digital rendering of the proposed new lobby area of the Safety Harbor Community Center. (Graphic: Cardno)
A digital rendering of the new lobby area of the Safety Harbor Community Center. (Graphic: Cardno)

“The City Commission’s approval to move forward on the Community Center fitness center positions Safety Harbor to make an impact on improving the health of our residents and overall community,” Leisure Services Director Andrea Norwood wrote via email, noting the city recently committed to participating in a statewide health and wellness pledge.

“Recreation staff has worked diligently to bring this project forward for approval with research, surveys and numerous site visits and is motivated to bring the new “REAL Fit” venue to the public.”

Schafer also emailed her thoughts about the commission’s decision.

“Staff is thrilled to add one more element in assisting in increasing the quality of life in Safety Harbor,” she said.

“We are looking forward to the project and the impact it will make on the health of our residents.”

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16 Comments

  1. Let’s put a pool and water park on a parcel at the Firmenich site! Would be a fantastic addition and location!

  2. A lot of people seem to agree. We need to copy Dunedin’s great example. A community pool, fabulous splash pad for little kids, a playground, restrooms and picnic tables under the trees. Check out their facilities on Michigan Avenue. The City land off of Greensprings Drive would be a perfect site. Pouring 2 million into the current Community Center is a waste of money with it’s limited space and so many fitness centers nearby.

  3. I would really like to see a outdoor pool that would offer water fitness classes and use for just a day at the pool with a snake bar that offered healthy snacks food and drinks.

  4. I agree with the swimming pool. and make it indoor so it can be used all year around. Thank you.

  5. The City of New Port Richey (population 15,800) has a beautiful aquatic and fitness facility complete with a competition-sized pool with diving boards, plunge pool with 2-story water slide, kiddie pool with kiddie slide and spray fountains, and a heated lap pool. It’s really nice and within walking/biking distance of most city neighborhoods.

  6. I agree with Debbie. Would love to see a community pool. It will never happen as long as the spa offers a pool membership durning the summer that is way over priced. Also I think the article says this is happening on the north side of main. When the rec center is on the south side

  7. What is the rational for the city building and running a fitness center? Aren’t there already a lot of private fitness centers and gyms in the area?

  8. If only we could get a Community Pool there, I’d be so happy! I moved here from Seminole and I really have missed a pool.

    • So true… Safety Harbor is such a magnificent city, but I too wish they had a pool. I’ll tell you that Dunedin has a beautiful pool. Belive it’s called Highland pool. It has a few diving boards and slides. Admission is only $3 regardless of what city you live in. There is also a spray park located just out front of the pool with free admission. ?

    • SH is the only town I’ve ever lived in without a community pool, it’s long overdue. Officials need to remember not every resident who lives here has a pool in their yard. There is no place for our kids to swim here & SHPD classes start too early for working parents to bring their kids to after work. We have to drive to Dunedin for both, not good…

  9. No excuses now folks….let’s get fit….as a community. Instead of Safety Harbor, we can call ourselves Sa-FIT-y Harbor!

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