City of Richland Hills, TX The Link Event + Recreation Center Aquatics Study March 22, 2021
Richland_Hills
Population Growth Rate
30-Minute Drive
Time Population Growth Rate
Demographics Dashboard
8,547 1.59%
462,376 1.66%
Market Area Maps
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Market Area Age Distribution
National Average Richland_Hills
$44,000$46,000$48,000$50,000$52,000$54,000$56,000$58,000
0 to 5 Minutes 5-10 Minutes 10-15 Minutes
Market Area Income
Natl Average Richland_Hills
Area Providers
The Link, Richland Hills, TX Central Aquatics Center, Hurst, TX10 minutes, 4.7 miles from site
Roy Savage Pool, Bedford, TX10 minutes, 17.9 miles from site
Marine Park Swimming Pool, Fort
Worth, TX15 minutes, 9.9 miles from site
Chisolm Aquatic Center, Hurst, TX
13 minutes, 7.2 miles from site
NRH20 Family Water Park, North
Richland Hills, TX
10 minutes, 4.3 miles from site
Bedford Splash, Bedford, TX
13 minutes, 7.7 miles from site
The Keller Pointe, Keller, TX
19 minutes, 8.7 miles from site
Area Providers
NRH Centre, North Richland Hills, TX
11 minutes, 4.9 miles from site
Keller ISD Natatorium, Keller, TX19 minutes, 8.9 miles from site
GCISD Swim Center, Grapevine, TX20 minutes, 10 miles from site
Area ProvidersNumber Facility
1 The Link
2 Central Aquatics Center
3 Roy Savage Pool
4 Marine Park Swimming Pool
5 Chisolm Aquatic Center
6 NRH2O Family Water Park
7 Bedford Splash
8 The Keller Pointe
9 NRH Centre
10 Keller ISD Natatorium
11 Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Swim
Center
Option 1 – Indoor Lap + Program
▪ 2,397 SF Indoor Lap Pool
▪ 4, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ 1,420 SF Program / Fitness Pool
▪ Water walking / fitness / lessons
▪ Chlidren’s area
▪ Aquatics manager office
▪ Pool mechanical
Option 1 – Indoor Lap + Program
▪ 2,397 SF Indoor Lap Pool
▪ 4, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ 1,420 SF Program / Fitness Pool
▪ Water walking / fitness / lessons
▪ Chlidren’s area
▪ Aquatics manager office
▪ Pool mechanical
Option 1 – Indoor Lap + Program
▪ 2,397 SF Indoor Lap Pool
▪ 4, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ 1,420 SF Program / Fitness Pool
▪ Water walking / fitness / lessons
▪ Chlidren’s area
▪ Aquatics manager office
▪ Pool mechanical
Option 1 – Indoor Lap + Program
▪ 2,397 SF Indoor Lap Pool
▪ 4, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ 1,420 SF Program / Fitness Pool
▪ Water walking / fitness / lessons
▪ Chlidren’s area
▪ Aquatics manager office
▪ Pool mechanical
Option 2 – Indoor Lap + Leisure
▪ 3,965 SF indoor pool
▪ 3, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ Connected shallow waterleisure area
▪ Children’s spray struture
▪ Waterslide
▪ Aquatics manager office
▪ Pool mechanical
Option 2 – Indoor Lap + Leisure
▪ 3,965 SF indoor pool
▪ 3, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ Connected shallow waterleisure area
▪ Children’s spray struture
▪ Waterslide
▪ Aquatics manager office
▪ Pool mechanical
Option 2 – Indoor Lap + Leisure
▪ 3,965 SF indoor pool
▪ 3, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ Connected shallow waterleisure area
▪ Children’s play structure
▪ Waterslide
▪ Aquatics manager office
▪ Pool mechanical
Option 2 – Indoor Lap + Leisure
▪ 3,965 SF indoor pool
▪ 3, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ Connected shallow waterleisure area
▪ Children’s play structure
▪ Waterslide
▪ Aquatics manager office
▪ Pool mechanical
Option 3 – Indoor Lap + Outdoor Leisure▪ Indoor 4-lane, 25-yard lap pool (2,188 SF)
▪ Lap swimming
▪ Water fitness / swimming lessons
▪ Outdoor 3,700 SF leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Wet lounging deck
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Option 3 – Indoor Lap + Outdoor Leisure▪ Indoor 4-lane, 25-yard lap pool (2,188 SF)
▪ Lap swimming
▪ Water fitness / swimming lessons
▪ Outdoor 3,700 SF leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Wet lounging deck
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Option 3 – Indoor Lap + Outdoor Leisure▪ Indoor 4-lane, 25-yard lap pool (2,188 SF)
▪ Lap swimming
▪ Water fitness / swimming lessons
▪ Outdoor 3,700 SF leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Wet lounging deck
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Option 3 – Indoor Lap + Outdoor Leisure▪ Indoor 4-lane, 25-yard lap pool (2,188 SF)
▪ Lap swimming
▪ Water fitness / swimming lessons
▪ Outdoor 3,700 SF leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Wet lounging deck
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Option 3 – Indoor Lap + Outdoor Leisure▪ Indoor 4-lane, 25-yard lap pool (2,188 SF)
▪ Lap swimming
▪ Water fitness / swimming lessons
▪ Outdoor 3,700 SF leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Wet lounging deck
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Option 4 – Outdoor Leisure
▪ 5,800 SF outdoor leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ 3, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Option 4 – Outdoor Leisure
▪ 5,800 SF outdoor leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ 3, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Option 4 – Outdoor Leisure
▪ 5,800 SF outdoor leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ 3, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Option 4 – Outdoor Leisure
▪ 5,800 SF outdoor leisure pool
▪ Zero-beach entry w/spray features
▪ Open water recreation area
▪ 3, 25-yard lap lanes
▪ Dual waterslide tower
▪ Shade structures
▪ Outdoor bathhouse / entry
Options SummaryIndoor Lap + Program Indoor Lap + Leisure Indoor Lap + Outdoor
LeisureOutdoor Lap + Leisure
Construction Cost $5.26M $5.77M $5.76M $3.68M
Project Cost $6.84M $7.50M $7.48M $4.68M
Indoor Aquatics
Outdoor Aquatics
Year-Round Programs
Seasonal Programs
Regulation Competition
Leisure Amenities
Capacity Varies Varies 151 235
Expense BudgetIndoor w Program Indoor w Leisure Indoor + Outdoor Outdoor Only
Facility Staff
Full Time Employment Not Included Not Included Not Included Not Included
Aquatic Coordinator $45,000 $45,000 $45,000 $22,500
Maintenance Technician $0 $0 $0 $0
Full Time Benefits $18,000 $18,000 $18,000 $9,000
Part-Time Management $10,080 $10,080 $10,080 $10,080
Lifeguard Personel $149,796 $149,796 $173,052 $68,400
Front Desk Personnel $0 $0 $7,140 $7,140
Personnel Equipment Cost $2,274 $2,274 $2,870 $1,281
Training $7,000 $7,000 $8,000 $4,000
Total Labor $232,150 $232,150 $264,142 $122,401
Direct Facility Expenses
Insurance Not Included Not Included Not Included Not Included
Repair and Maintenance $24,000 $26,300 $26,300 $16,500
Credit Card Fees $2,426 $2,848 $3,533 $3,596
Operating Supplies $14,400 $15,780 $15,780 $9,900
Chemicals $8,340 $9,676 $14,549 $14,351
Advertising $0 $0 $0 $0
Direct Expenses $49,166 $54,604 $60,162 $44,348
Utilities
HVAC $30,982 $32,720 $20,970 $3,772
Electricity $15,012 $21,419 $23,985 $13,308
Pool Heating $15,767 $13,350 $7,092 $0
Water & Sewer $5,405 $6,011 $7,783 $7,785
Total Utilities $67,166 $73,500 $59,830 $24,864
Programs
LG Class Materials $1,137 $1,137 $1,435 $1,200
Part-Time Program Staff $50,642 $50,642 $48,069 $15,507
Total Programs $51,779 $51,779 $49,504 $16,707
Total Operating Expenses $400,261 $412,033 $433,637 $208,320
Capital Replacement Fund $34,300 $37,600 $37,500 $23,500
Total Expense $434,561 $449,633 $471,137 $231,820
Direct Facility Expense Budget
▪ Personnel
▪ Direct expenses
▪ Utilities
▪ Programs
Revenue Summary
▪ Daily Admissions / Memberships
▪ Aquatic Programs
▪ Swim Lessons
▪ Perpetual lesson model
▪ 66,000 children under age 10 within 15-minute drive time
▪ Water Fitness
▪ Rentals
▪ Indoor pool
▪ Party room
▪ Outdoor pool
▪ Evening rentals during summer
$109,867 $38,769
$9,600
Outdoor Only
Daily Admissions / Memberships
Aquatics Instruction Revenue
Rentals
$122,074
$120,172
$9,600 Indoor / Outdoor
Daily Admissions / Memberships
Aquatics Instruction Revenue
Rentals
$78,624
$126,605
$10,700
Indoor - Leisure
Daily Admissions / Memberships
Aquatics Instruction Revenue
Rentals
Summary
$400,261
$412,033
$433,637
$208,320$197,208
$225,929
$261,847
$158,235
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
$450,000
$500,000
Indoor w Program Indoor w Leisure Indoor + Outdoor Outdoor Only
Revenue / Expense Summary
Expense Revenue
49% 55% 76%60%
Summary Notes▪ Several options for an addition to The Link have been studied that include the following:
▪ Indoor lap pool + programming pool▪ Indoor lap + leisure pool▪ Indoor lap + outdoor leisure▪ Outdoor lap + leisure
▪ Development costs for the various options range from $4.68M to $7.5M for the total project cost.▪ Construction cost▪ Escalation (1 year @ 5%)▪ Design/construction contingency (10%-12.5%)▪ Project fees (10%)
▪ Three of the options consist of indoor aquatics which allow for year-round aquatic fitness and programs at The Link with an annual expense budget of $400,000 to $433,000. These options include 3-4 fitness lap lanes, program areas and some leisure amenities.
▪ The outdoor only aquatic facility has the lowest capital and operational costs to the City, as well as the highest cost recovery rate when comparing revenue to expenses. Outdoor pools in the DFW area are typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day (100-day season).
Existing Membership
Year Visits Unique Members Revenue Family Revenue Per Cap % of Family Memberships
2018 21936 1046 $111,992.94 $45,642.50 $5.11 40.75%
2019 20570 901 $89,032.98 $26,815.20 $4.33 30.12%
2020 14736 763 $67,739.59 $22,482.32 $4.60 33.19%
Notes 2/25
▪ Link has 30,000 to 35,000 annual visits when adding in day passes + athletics
▪ Some silver sneaker members only come a few visits per year
▪ Currently looking to partner with sports performance group
▪ Revenue – 1/3 members, 1/3 rentals, 1/3 kids programs, addtl $25k in other programs
▪ 50% of members are residents (mainly older)
▪ Building was built to be a regional center
▪ Attract hwy 26 to 820, Link NR rates are cheaper than NRH residents
▪ No FW services for South Richland Hills area
▪ More fun – family amenities and find way to have lap swim
▪ Day pass - $8, kids $5
Online Survey
▪ Launched September 21
▪ Provided opportunity to reach the communityand receive their input during the Covid-19Pandemic
▪ 254 total responses
▪ 35% of respondents are current members ofThe Link
▪ Close to 50% of respondents have childrenunder the age 18 in their household
▪ Majority of respondents use areapools for Recreational swimmingand fitness/wellness
▪ 30% do not currently utilize an areapool
▪ NRH Center, NRH2O, Keller Point,Hurst, Bedford among area poolsthat respondents use
Q1 / Q2
▪ Respondents do not use area pools for thefollowing reasons:▪ Other aquatic centers are too far from
Richland Hills
▪ Area providers are too expensive
▪ Member at The Link and don’t want to add amembership at another facility just to swim
▪ Area aquatic centers are not convenient to useand don’t offer desired amenities
Q3
▪ Features respondents would like tosee in a new aquatic center (Green barindicates the features thatrespondents favored the most):
▪ Year-round aquatic center
▪ Community aquatic programs
▪ Swimming lessons
▪ Shallow water
Q4
Q5
▪ Recreational features respondents wouldlike to see in a new aquatic center (Greenbar indicates the features thatrespondents favored the most):
▪ Designated children’s area
▪ Children’s spraypad / play feature
▪ Fitness lap lanes
▪ Lazy river
▪ Water basketball, volleyball,climbing wall, floatbles and divingnot preferred
▪ Water temperature plays a key role in howindoor and outdoor pools are used andwhat types of programs they support.
▪ Single pool option with reasonable watertemperature was preferred by majority ofrespondents
▪ Cold pool for competition was deemedvery important by close to 20% ofrespondents (40% deemed it notimportant)
▪ Multiple pool option deemed veryimportant by close to 20% of respondents(over 50% deemed it not important)
Q6
▪ Recreational Swimming, wateraerobics and swimming lessonsgarnered the highest vote totals forpreferred program offerings
▪ Water walking, lap swim and dive-inmovies favored by 50% ofrespondents
▪ Water polo, triathlon and mastersswimming favored by less than 20%of respondents
Q7
▪ 35% of respondents are current members ofThe Link
▪ Over 90% of respondents indicated an aquaticcenter (indoor or outdoor) would increasetheir likelihood of joining The Link
Q8 / Q9
▪ This would be a great addition to our community.
▪ Perhaps a membership for seniors without joining the Link or a seasonal membership
▪ An aquatic center would be fiscally irresponsible in a city this small
▪ I would like to see amenities that aren’t offered at other places. A place that is unique and attracts youth,adults, and athletes from all over.
▪ The county pool where we swam before offered free/reduced price swim lessons for low-income families. Iwould have paid more for my daughter's swim lessons knowing that it helps saves lives of others!
▪ If it had a pool, I’d move my membership from NRH to the LINK
Q11 – Open-Ended Comments
▪ Where would you plan to build it? Membership would depend on cost; we think the current cost formembership at the LINK is out of our budget. Look forward to seeing more info posted about this.
▪ Would use a pool frequency and would love to not have to drive to Keller for outdoor pool fun and also fitnessswimming laps
▪ Richland Hills needs to step up as a city, too often residents are traveling out of the city to find recreationactivities.
▪ The addition of a recreational aquatic facility would be so beneficial to our community! My family says all thetime during the summer months that we wished Richland hills had a community swimming facility.
▪ We have been wanting a pool here for years! I'm so happy to hear that a plan is in the works. Please moveforward and we will use it nearly everyday!
Q11 – Open-Ended Comments