More golfers and Silver Sneaker-types than ever took advantage of the city’s gyms and courses last year, helping set a record of the number of people blowing off steam, improving scores and getting healthier, say city officials.
The city’s seven recreation facilities received more than 1.1 million guest visits in 2024 – the highest annual visitation ever recorded. That was a nearly 2% jump over 2023 visits, said city spokesman Andy Le via email.
The higher visitor numbers generated $6.2 million from all recreation offerings in 2024, including more than 100,000 fitness class participants, 2.300 personal training sessions, close to 1,000 adult sports teams, and many more participants across diverse offerings and facilities, Le said.
“This achievement reflects the customer service, relevant programming and quality of amenities at City Park Recreation Center, City Park Fitness Center, Swim and Fitness Center, West View, The MAC, Westminster Sports Center, and Countryside,” Le said.
The performance of Westminster’s Parks, Recreation & Libraries Department were reviewed at a study session before Westminster City Councilors on Monday.
The department’s $47 million budget for 2025 includes overseeing the city’s 3,817-acre open space program as well as building and maintaining Westminster’s 126-mile trail system, said City Manager Jody Andrews in his written message to the councilors.
“The PRL (Parks, Recreation & Libraries) Department creates exceptional opportunities for a vibrant community committed to nature, wellness, arts, culture, and literacy,” Andrews told the council.
The city’s recreation portfolio includes several fitness program incentives provided through Medicare to help seniors stay “strong in body, mind, and spirit” through the utilization of facilities and program, Le said.
Westminster has contracts with SilverSneakers, PRIME, Renew Active, One Pass, One Pass Commercial, Aaptiv Access, Aaptiv Advantage, Silver and Fit and Select Health, Le said. Regular physical activity keeps individuals’ heart, brain, bones, muscles, and joints healthy. “If a guest has a chronic condition like arthritis, diabetes, or osteoporosis, safe exercise can help them feel better and stay social,” Le said.
In 2024, the Recreation Services Team issued 1,471 new Medicare Fitness Passes, bringing the total number of active Medicare Fitness Passes to 11,231, Le said. In 2024, the city produced 176,098 Medicare Fitness visits which generated $464,230 in revenue. That compares to 167,438 Medicare Fitness visits in 2023, he said.
Meanwhile, more golfers than ever took advantage of Legacy Ridge and Walnut Creek golf courses last year.
Combined total revenues for both courses in 2024 was $6.7 million, which is a little over a million dollar increase from 2023. The total for all rounds played for both courses in 2024 was 97,539. This is an 8,203 increase in rounds from 2023, Le said.
Several new priorities for the PRL Department include having the Homeless Navigator Program direct the city’s homeless toward getting permanent homes and coordinating with regional partners to address “basic human services needs of community members,” according to the council presentation.
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