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.