'A very successful year': Town's recreation department exceeds revenue goals for 2021

Despite facing a myriad of COVID-related challenges, the town's Recreation Department enjoyed a record-setting year in 2021.

During a presentation to the Town Council at its regular meeting Jan. 11, Director of Recreation Mark Bresnahan said every one of the department's divisions exceeded its revenue goals for the year.

"It was a very successful year in every which way, and in every area," Bresnahan said during his delivery of the Recreation Advisory Committee's annual report. "Not everything is about generating dollars, but it's important to note that every division had a record year. In most cases, it was a record year by far."

More: Town seeing record numbers of golf, tennis participants as pandemic passes first year

Topping that list were the town's golf and tennis programs.

More than 52,000 rounds of golf were played at The Par 3 golf course during the 2021 fiscal year, according to the report. That total is 34% higher than the course's previous play high in 2019, Bresnahan said.

Par 3 revenues topped $3.6 million in 2021, which was $1 million more than projected. More than $400,000 in revenue came from pro-shop sales.

In its report, the Recreation Advisory Committee attributed much of the course's success to improvements in golf operations, which included a new fleet of carts; a new registration, tee sheet and point-of-sale service provider system; a new sound system; and a new cart path along the 18th hole.

The department's tennis division also enjoyed a record-setting year for revenue, according to the committee's report.

Revenue was up 44% from 2020, which had been the previous revenue record. Teaching revenue from the contract with DM Tennis Enterprises also was up over 44%, while merchandise sales were up 38% from the previous year. Both were new revenue highs.

The Seaview and Phipps Ocean Park Tennis Centers drew consistent crowds throughout the year, with residents accounting for 72% of players, 67% of juniors and 85% of adults.

Tennis events also returned to the town last year, with the Town of Palm Beach Championships being contested in January, February and April. Additionally, a full slate of six teams has resumed representing the town, including two senior league teams.

Despite COVID restrictions limiting program participation at the Mandel Recreation Center, revenue there was up 144% in 2021 — more than double from the last fiscal year, according to the committee report. The $565,000 in revenue represents an all-time record.

The Mandel Recreation Center offered 252 programs last year, with resident adult participation at 95% and youth at 50%.

The Fitness Center sold 277 memberships despite capacity restrictions throughout most of the fiscal year.

"We've been doing everything in the safest manner possible, going the extra steps and limiting capacity in our fitness center when it was warranted, depending on the positivity rates and actions by the Town Council," Bresnahan said. "But we were still able to successfully run our programs, and we've gotten a lot of positive feedback throughout the community."

During his presentation, Bresnahan noted that the department's cost recovery goals were met in every division, with tennis and golf exceeding expectations. Golf achieved a cost recovery of 177%, and tennis attained 86%, far eclipsing the department's goals of 130% and 60%, respectively, Bresnahan said.

"We had a high level of expenses, but that is in response to the amount of play and the amount of customers we've had come through our facilities," he said. "But our cost recovery goals were met in every area."

As part of its report, the seven-member Recreation Advisory Commission also shared concerns about the connection from the Lake Trail to Seaview Avenue, and suggested putting up signage so residents and visitors know where the Mandel Recreation Center and Seaview Park and its amenities are located.

The commission also expressed support for providing enhanced safety measures for pedestrians at the intersection of Cocoanut Row and Seaview Avenue. Those measures could include a flashing crosswalk or stoplight to ease the concerns of pedestrian and vehicle interactions in that area.

Town Manager Kirk Blouin said town staff has been working on the issue and will present options for consideration by the council at its February meeting.

"We'll present our goals to the mayor and council next month," Blouin said. "We'll continue to gather information on what the costs might be and what opportunities there might be in the future to address some of these concerns and needs."

Jodie Wagner is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

@JRWagner5

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Golf, tennis spur record-setting year for Palm Beach Recreation