6 bucks to swim for one hour?
All these YMCA's I've been too are chargin that much to swim for the 1 hour adult lap swim. That's outrageous. They have a punch pass...20 visits for 50 bucks....which is semi reasonable, but when I'm not even in the city for 20 days then the rest is wasted. Why do they charge so much. It's not just Oklahoma, I've seen one in PA charge the same thing.
Kelli,
Only if it was the last option available.
We realize it's expensive to run a pool (whether or not it's subsidized by a community) so they probably aren't getting enough drop-ins to cover their costs or reduce the cost lower.
And they're probably still losing money even at 6 bucks a swim.
Having operated a number of swimming facilities for many years, I can tell you that they are extremely expensive to plan, build, operate, staff, maintain, condition and insure. And, like everything else, those expenses keep going up. In fact, MOST commercial pools operate at a loss that is typically absorbed by the club, community, Y, school or other institution as a necessary (and, from the bean counter's viewpoint, evil) cost of doing business.
When you factor in all the real costs of providing pool spacetime for you to utilize, that $6/hr likely represents a loss for the facility. There IS an outside chance that's not the case if the pool is heavily used during lap swim hours (averaging say, 4 to 6 swimmers sharing each short course lane), but lap swimmers tend to like private or semi-private lanes. Even if there IS heavy utilization, $6/hr is definitely NOT overcharging.
Where else can you utilize 10 to 50 square yards of expensively developed, maintenance-intensive, professionally staffed facilities, which must be conditioned 24/7 whether in use or not, for less than $6/hr?
could 6 dollars be too much for my health and happiness. since I used to drink wine and beer alot-I know I would spend 6 dollars a day on that.
if I could spend it on wine or beer, I could def spend it on swimming. just pack your lunch and save the money that way. Or, get a bike and ride it to work. drink starbucks? ditch that, or some other luxury expense and it's paid for. it's worth it. don't get tripped up over 6 dollars. swim and be happier and healthier for it.
jerrycat:D
Hi,
Well over here in England, my pool,which is almost brand new,well 2 years old, charges $35 a month for as long as you want and every day of the month if you want.Plus,I also get to use the Beauty Suite,lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally posted by laineybug
Despite all my b_ _ _ hing and moaning about not having a coach or team down here and after listening to you guys, I have to say, that I'm spoiled... I'd be careful about saying this to this group! :D Regarding the drop-in fees, I'd pay almost anything to AVOID those d_mned hotel pools! Anyone out there feel the same as I?
The West Side Y at 63rd Street in NYC charges $25 for a five day pass for Y members and although the pool is old it is very clean and kept at a nice cool temp. There are only 4 lanes but I've gone at all times of the day and I've never had a problem with too many lap swimmers.
Originally posted by mark_varney47
Well over here in England, my pool,which is almost brand new,well 2 years old, charges $35 a month for as long as you want and every day of the month if you want.
The pool where I swim charges $490/year, which comes to a little over $40/month. But if you want to use it one time, the price is $5. The bottom line is that they really don't keep their facility in operation by catering to people who only want to use it once or twice. They do it by catering to people who want ot use it on a regular basis.
Originally posted by Mark in MD
I'd be careful about saying this to this group! :D Regarding the drop-in fees, I'd pay almost anything to AVOID those d_mned hotel pools! Anyone out there feel the same as I?
Oh absolutely I feel the same as you. Hotel pools are useless imho. Last year I was at a hotel with the usual miniscule pool, and I would get up and go down to a nearby YMCA to swim at 6 AM. Invariably when I do that, somebody will say, "But there's a pool here". However, it's not a pool - it's a very large bathtub.
As for whether I would pay $6 to swim. Yes, I would. Last year I paid $8 to swim in a very nice county pool which was convenient for me. The lady at the desk was apologtic at having to charge me a higher rate than a county resident, but I had no complaints. The best "drop-in" swim I ever had was the Montreal olympic pool. This was about five years ago, but I remember I paid $3 Canadian. It was a wonderful pool.
Plus,I also get to use the Beauty Suite,lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark, What exactly does the Beautician do for you at this beauty suite ?
Are you a manicure and pedicure kind of guy, or is it more mud packs and waxing ?
:p :D
