2022 Annual Report
Westside Recreation Centre
About Westside
Promoting community through high quality and accessible recreation facilities, programs and services
Westside Regional Recreation Society is a registered charitable organization committed to enriching the wellness of our communities. At Westside Recreation Centre, we welcome the contributions of community members and serve people of all ages and abilities.
To enrich the wellbeing of every person in our community
Community, diversity, accessibility, safety, financial independence, quality, volunteerism
Chair’s Message
Westside’s story in 2022 was one of adaptation and revival. As the year commenced, the organization was emerging from the pandemic armed with experience from successfully confronting a black swan event. Our goals were simple: keep facilities open whenever possible, maintain focus on serving our customers and communities, treat employees and stakeholders with respect, and remain committed to the highest health and safety standards.
While decisions were not always easy, Westside prudently and thoughtfully reopened facilities and resumed normal operations in the first part of the year. Employee recruitment proved challenging, but Westside benefitted from the continued loyalty of staff and a strong management team, all of whom worked above and beyond in service of Westside. Allowing members to keep their memberships on hold during COVID restrictions expired in March with the return to full facility operations. Thanks to the loyalty of our customers, annual memberships and visitor numbers quickly returned to normal levels.
A $1.3 million operational deficit was forecast this year and budgets were pressed to their limits, but meticulous management and sensible investment resulted in only a modest loss. Westside remains in strong financial shape even after experiencing two years of pandemic impact.
Above all, Westside’s story in 2022 is one of revival. Having stayed true to its mission, vision and values in the toughest of times, we emerge resilient and determined. Westside’s leadership recently completed a strategic review, affirming our directions using the lessons learned in the past two years to carve out an updated and exciting path forward. These are indeed better days.
I extend my gratitude to Westside’s management and staff for their exceptional commitment and efforts. Their work has been nothing short of outstanding in the face of so many challenges. I’d also like to express my deep appreciation to Westside board members for their thoughtful guidance, and to our valued members and guests for their continued loyalty and support.
“Westside’s story in 2022 is one of revival. Having stayed true to its mission, vision and values in the toughest of times, we emerge resilient and determined.”
- Peter Bryan, Board Chair
Managing Director’s Message
In September 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic still loomed large and was most certainly the biggest factor impacting service levels, members, programs and staff. Despite the ongoing restrictions and public health requirements, we began our fiscal year with hope. The hope that the pandemic would subside, the hope to fully reopen, the hope to get back to a sense of normal operations, and the hope to fully welcome back our communities.
For the first six months we continued to deal with change, delivering facilities and programs in hybrid model formats. Fall 2021 brought the new vaccine requirement, then scanning QR codes. Westside would need to focus on re-establishing its staff team. Annual members reactivated their memberships when they felt comfortable doing so, but thousands remained on hold.
Throughout the year, we continually strived to offer as much as could to as many as could, knowing the need for healthy activity and recreation outlets was significant. Careful management assured members, guests and staff that their health and wellness was at the forefront of every decision. Demand for leisure activities steadily increased month by month, returning to normal usage levels by April 2022.
A survey conducted late in the year indicates that satisfaction levels with Westside’s delivery of facilities, programs, services, and customer care actually increased when compared to our last survey in 2014. We’re proud of those results. They are a testament to the Westside team’s effort, care and commitment to our entire community. Today, annual memberships and visitor numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Thank you to our members, guests, stakeholders and staff who have stayed with us during these uncertain times and supported us in countless ways. Your commitment helped us to remain open and a vital resource to those we serve.
“Careful management assured members, guests and staff that their health and wellness was at the forefront of every decision.”
-
Norma-Jean Hogg, Managing Director
Thanks to Staff & Volunteers
The Going Got Tough, The Tough Kept Going
Sincere thanks goes to Westside’s staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly in the face of ongoing pandemic impacts, staff shortages, and constant change. Their commitment and dedication ensured that facilities reopened, programs ran, and the community was served. We simply could not have done it without them.
Open for the Community
Westside was still in the throes of Covid-related public health restrictions at the beginning of the fiscal year, September 2021. Facilities continued to operate at a reduced capacity, proof of vaccination became a requirement, QR codes were mandatory, and thousands of Westside memberships remained on hold.
As the months went on and restrictions were lifted, Westside responded quickly to reopen facility spaces and offer the greatest access while still keeping a close eye on health and safety for members, guests and staff. Facilities and equipment were reconfigured, activities were adapted, and programs adjusted to accommodate the latest measures and best practices.
Through it all, Westside was unswerving in its commitment to provide as many recreation opportunities as possible for Calgary’s communities when they needed it most. In recognition of members’ support, Westside offered flexible membership reactivation options that respected people’s comfort level returning to public spaces.
Westside resumed full operations in February 2022. A testament to its pandemic management, annual membership subscriptions saw no reduction and drop-in visitors have returned to preCovid levels. Determination, resilience and flexibility all played a significant role in successfully delivering Westside into a post-pandemic Calgary.
2022 Statistics
11,741 Annual Members 31,038 Drop-in Group Exercise Participants 12,722 Volunteer Hours 11,360 Program Registrants 1,376 Monthly Passholders 5,671 Swim Program Participants 176 Youth Volunteers $231,480 Community Support 633,319 Visitors in 2022 3,791 Day Campers 361 Days Open 201 New Staff
2022 Westside Survey
Members, Program Registrants, Customers Give Us Their Feedback
Westside conducted a satisfaction survey late in 2022, seeking opinions and garnering feedback from members, customers, and past program registrants. More than 2,150 people responded.
In almost all categories, satisfaction was higher than indicated in the last Westside survey conducted in 2014.
2022 Westside Survey Snapshots
94% believe Westside offers excellent/good value
93% say they feel welcome at Westside
82% say Westside programs meet their family’s needs
91% are satisfied with Fitness Centre and equipment
85% are happy with Aquatics amenities
36% say they have increased their physical activity compared to before the pandemic
93% are happy with facility maintenance
76% say they feel informed about Westside news and events
92% indicate program instructors are motivating and knowledgeable
87% are satisfied with gymnasiums and scheduled activities
90% are happy with customer care
86% are satisfied with Leisure Ice and Hockey Arenas
Board of Directors
Thank You to our Board
With 2022 returning to a more normal state of operations, the Westside Regional Recreation Society would like to thank the Board of Directors for their steadfast leadership through a tumultuous two years at Westside Recreation Centre. The Board’s steady guidance and collective expertise helped us make sound decisions regarding new policies and practices, successfully reopen our facilities and programs, maintain a loyal membership and customer base, and fiscally manage during a very difficult time for the recreation industry.
The Board’s unwavering commitment allowed Westside to weather the storm and remain an important resource for our Calgary communities. We are truly thankful for their counsel and support.
Peter Bryan Chair Deanna Napen Vice Chair Doug Bowles Treasurer Jeff Curran Secretary Norma-Jean Hogg Managing Director
Pat Brennan Director Joonas Eronen Director Alexandra Federucci Director Chris Flannery Director Laura Mensch Director
Patrick Merz Director Laverne Mok Director
Financial Statements
2022 2021 Assets Current Assets $ 1,172,909 $ 1,859,185 Investments 35,367,771 36,456,991 Tangible Assets 17,275,879 18,177,759 $ 53,816,559 $ 56,493,935 Liabilities Current Liabilities $ 1,121,909 $ 914,556 Deferred Revenue 3,234,678 3,476,236 4,356,587 4,390,792 Fund Balances Invested in Tangible Assets 17,275,879 18,177,759 Externally Restricted 4,635,641 4,897,229 Internally Restricted 25,121,309 26,160,547 Unrestricted 2,427,143 2,867,608 49,459,972 52,103,143 $ 53,816,559 $ 56,493,935 2022 2021 Operations Fund Revenue $ 8,636,362 $ 3,342,121 Other Income (Losses) (256,044) 1,006,260 Expenses (8,817,185) (5,990,077) Excess (Deficiency) Operations Revenue Over Expenses $ (436,867) $ (1,641,696) Restricted Funds Revenue $ 782,834 $ 805,120 Other Income (Losses) (1,585,819) 2,730,565 Expenses (143,124) (157,856) Amortization (1,260,195) (1,255,323) Excess (Deficiency) Revenue Over Expenses $ (2,206,304) $ 2,122,506 Fund Balance, beginning of year $ 52,103,143 $ 51,622,333 Excess (Deficiency) Revenue Over Expenses (2,643,171) 480,810 Fund Balance, end of year $ 49,459,972 $ 52,103,143 Summarized Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund Balances for the year ended August 31 Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31 Audited financial statements are available upon request.
Westside Recreation Centre 2000 – 69 Street SW Calgary, Alberta T3H 4V7 403.531.5875 westsiderec.com
