Just wanted to get a feel for how the attendance looks over at the Ackerman facility?

I ride my bike past there several times a week, usually late afternoon / early evening.....I don't think I have ever seen more than 10 cars in the massive parking lot.

Does anyone use this place? Or is it truly turning into the white elephant so many of us predicted?

Wait - there's an Ackerman Sports Complex??

Seriously, I think I've only ever seen it mentioned (as a tax issue) on these boards. Of course, since my kids are no longer of Park District program age, I never even glance at the seasonal brochure they send me. But I think that's the thing - most adults don't. Only families w/school age kids really pay attention to what is in the offering through that district. The rest of us only care enough to occasionally comment on the cleanliness of the parks themselves. And perhaps, then, that's why you only see 10 cars in the parking lot at any given time. People w/kids are too busy to take advantage of the facility; the rest of us just don't care.

Or......maybe we are all taking a page out of Dinsdale's book and doing outdoor activities in the beautiful weather. That could be an explanation for the 10 cars, no?

Mrs. Yoss and I go there 3-4 times a week for weight training. I like the fact that I don't have to wait to use the equipment. GEMom2 and her husband are also a regular users.

Mrs. Hyoog and I use it 2-3 times a week for the healthclub aspect. Its a nice alternative to Health Track (translation: cheaper!). So far we really like the facility. Its clean, never crowded and has good equipment. Our one gripe: the a/c system is terrible! The weight-room always feels hot and stuffy.

I am supposed to be going 3-4 times per week. A good week lately has been half that.

They don't care...money still coming out of my bank account monthly. I assume they would rather you not show so long as you are paying.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Herbold:
Or......maybe we are all taking a page out of Dinsdale's book and doing outdoor activities in the beautiful weather.

LOL!

So, any data in yet as to operating finances? Income vs outgo? Actual vs predicted?

Also, does anyone know how it is staffed - how many full-time PDers as opposed to part-timers and indep contractors? (I'm curious as I was having a discussion with a guy at work about health club staffing practices.)

Yeah - I could dig through the PD site, but was hoping someone would have already done that.

I continually find it funny how I develop strong feelings about this kind of thing, but then, very shortly after some conclusion has been reached, it very much slips into the background. I expressed and acted upon my opinion, and lost. So now I just deal with the new normal. Doesn't even piss me off as much when I see it while driving down St. Chuck.

One of these days I'd really like to find myself on the side of an interest group that succeeded in getting some big project done or policy enacted that I personally desired and benefitted from. I guess that will happen the day after I choose the fast check-out lane at the Jewel...

We are enjoying it and a typical week is weight area 3Xs and Spin class once or twice. The instructors are good. The proximity to where we live makes it far less a trek than to HealthTrack. I really haven't noticed the air handling problem when we have been there, but maybe the Hyoogs are working out harder than I am!

I am surprised at how many HT users - current and former - we see there. Some plan to transition to Ackerman only, but not all. There also seems to be a lot of couples - of all ages - exercising together there. I really do like seeing that type of togetherness.

Some evenings are busier than others. Weekends can be very busy. Recently I have noticed mens' leagues basketball, as well as youth soccer and basketball practices and games. Quite a few people do utilize the indoor track, even on lovely Spring days.

An Open House is scheduled for this Saturday from 10am - 2pm - in case you need a break from cleaning the garage and hauling your unlimited trash to the curb.