There's sentiment our institutions and corporations are so cluttered by culture and dogma, policies and procedures, they are paralyzed. When it comes to Grant MacEwan University's Wellness Centre, it's a sad and true commentary. Remember the great pool closure fiasco, 3 months ago?
Closed minds prevail. It appears the systemic neglect, which characterized pool operations for the last 3 years, is back on. I don't understand how discontinuing swim lessons engages the community, or creates potential to increase revenue to off set the operating costs.
Granted community swim lessons are not a panacea by any means. Community contact is though. And the Wellness Centre is caught in a huge dilemma. Half of its' revenue comes from community membership.So community should be pretty important. It doesn't seem to be. Unless of course the con is on.
So here's my suggestion. Be bold. Act. Create. Be and do better. Expand the fitness area by building a two storey addition to the south, towards 4h AVE. That solves the space issue for the fitness area, provides for more program offerings, and more membership opportunities. More community contact. Heck may be even some extension course take up. Imagine that!
Be bold, brand the Corner of 4th Ave & 9th Street, the MacEwan Wellness Corner, a two storey block of Wellness related businesses, running north from 4th Ave to 5th Ave.
Create two revenue streams, rent and revenue share. Do the latter by discounting the rent, slightly below market. Take an equity position in each businesses' sales. Help them win and the University wins. Be better. Do business a little differently.
Create a Wellness Centre Foundation. Revenue flows in to off-set costs of running the Wellness Centre, including the pool.
The word on the street is the University will get the pool closure right, this time. The various groups analyzing the situation are merely pawns, in a ruse. I have no way to measure that word. I've heard it. What I do know is across the street, to the west, Christenson Developments has new Seniors Housing coming. Down the street to the east, there's an Arena and Entertainment District, coming. At the corner of 4th Ave & 5th Street, to the south, there's a large condo, in the final stages of construction. I see customers living there.
Healy Ford is on the move. More high density housing is coming to the neighbourhood. And when the city moves ahead with the LRT expansion, which is in high gear, at the moment, there will be a station at 4th Ave & 5th Street. That brings the entire city to the campus door step.
Opportunity is in the neighbourhood, knocking a the door. My goodness a neighbourhood where you could live, work, learn, be well, and entertained within 8 blocks. Sure hope Grant MacEwan U hears the knock and answers the bell. Not optimistic though, your thoughts?
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