15 years of promoting healthy...

332015 Annual Report

15 years of promoting healthy lifestyles

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

11 15th Anniversary

Westside 2015 Annual Report

Westside Regional Recreation Society is on a mission to enrich the

health and wellness of our communities by providing the highest

quality recreation facilities, programs and services at Westside

Recreation Centre.

We are a charitable organization committed to incorporating healthy

activity into daily lives, offering world class recreation solutions,

welcoming the contributions of community members to our work, and

serving people of all ages.

In 2015, we celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of our grand opening.

Our continued success provides a model of recreation for Calgary,

Alberta and the world.

Our Mission

Promoting community through high quality and accessible recreational

facilities, programs and services.

Our VisionTo enrich the wellbeing of every person in our community.

Our Values

Community, Diversity, Accessibility, Safety, Financial Independence,

Quality, Volunteerism.


Fifteen years ago, after years dedicated to planning, organizing, fundraising and construction, Westside Regional

Recreation Society celebrated the grand opening of Westside Recreation Centre. The mission was simple: to

enhance a community through high quality and accessible leisure facilities, programs and services.

Though the Society’s leaders were filled with optimism, even they could not have predicted Westside’s

extraordinary success. Soon after opening the doors, the centre would be operating at capacity and planning for

the next phase of construction to meet the growing demands.

Today, Westside is busy and as popular as ever. Members and guests remain at historically high levels. Programs

expanded once again, and the number of volunteers and the hours they contribute have grown as well. Each year,

new records are set as Westside continues to be a vital resource in the community. This is truly an anniversary

of joyful celebration.

This year, we completed the final year of the five-year strategic plan set into motion in 2011. A roadmap was

established to be a leading edge facility, aim for staffing excellence, serve our youth, and engage our stakeholders.

We are happy to report that all goals have been met or exceeded, and Westside remains in a strong financial

position. Our facilities and programs are highly rated, there is quality and depth in our staff team, we have

successfully welcomed youth, and we continue to strengthen important partnerships with the City of Calgary,

Calgary Stampede and the Caravan Breakfast Committee, and others. We have already begun to plan for the next

five years and are excited by our new directions and where they will lead us.

On behalf of the board, we gratefully acknowledge the outstanding leadership and vision of those, our neighbours

and friends, who worked to build and open Westside Recreation Centre. They fulfilled their vision of enriching

the lives of those in our communities, and gave us a solid foundation upon which we continue to build.

We would not, and could not, be where we are today without the time and talent of our Board of Directors. Their

contributions have kept Westside on the path to success since the very beginning. We are also grateful for the

talented staff and volunteers who continually strive to ensure Westside facilities, programs and service are on

the leading edge.

Finally, we are ever thankful for the members and guests who make Westside a part of their lives each day. We

deeply appreciate their patronage, and pledge to continue enriching the fabric of our neighbourhoods for years

to come.

Anniversaries are for looking back, celebrating, and committing to renewal. As we look forward, Westside’s

future looks brighter than ever.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Sheri EppBoard Chair

Norma-Jean HoggManaging Director

55 15th Anniversary

NUMBER OF VISITS

2001

2015

476,192

1,545,023

NUMBER OF MEMBERSHIPS

2001 2015

8,312 14,133

FACILITY SPACE

2001

175,000 FT2

2015

240,000 FT2

A Leading Edge Facility

offering recreation for yesterday, today

and tomorrow


In the early morning hours of May

25, 2000, Pat Brennan stood in line,

determined to be the very first annual

member of Westside Recreation Centre.

The Brennan family are proud Members

#0001, and have remained members for

every year since.

The Brennans’ story starts long before that day, however. Residents

of Strathcona Park, Pat and Tracy were among those who pitched in

from the beginning to help build Westside Recreation Centre. They

were involved with the feasibility study, became volunteers, attended

fundraising events and made charitable donations to ensure Westside

would be built. Over the years, they have worked on the board,

volunteered during the expansion project and provided their support

in innumerable ways. Their four children have grown up here.

“We feel so fortunate to live in a community that has Westside at its

centre,” says Tracy. “It’s been like a second home to us over the years,

from skating to swimming and wall climbing, to hockey games, parties

and kids’ playgroups. Westside has been the place for so many of our

family fun times.”

The Brennan family have celebrated a number of other firsts at

Westside. Daughter Zoë’s sixth birthday was the first pool party

held at Westside. Pat’s hockey team played the first-ever game in

Westside’s arena. Son Luke had his first volunteer position and part-

time job at Westside, too.

“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years,” says Pat. “Westside’s grand opening

was such a great time.” He adds, “And, our hockey team has played

the same ice time every week since Westside opened.”

Happy Anniversary, Westside and Brennan family. Here’s to many

more.

First Family

“Our hockey team has played the same ice

time every week since Westside opened.”

-Pat Brennan Pat & Tracy Brennan

77 15th Anniversary

Even though Jasmine is just 19 years old,

she has been a Westside member since the

very beginning. Jasmine and her family

signed up in 2000 when the centre first

opened, and she’s been here ever since.

Jasmine Wong was four years old when she began skating lessons.

In the months and years that followed, she took swimming lessons,

learned to climb, participated in summer day camps, and was involved

in numerous other programs.

“I think I was at Westside almost every single day when I was young,”

says Jasmine. “It has been such an integral part of growing up for

me, and it still is. Westside is more than just a recreation centre, it’s

a common meeting ground where people of all ages can bond while

learning and bettering their health and wellbeing.”

When she was 14, Jasmine signed up to volunteer at Westside. Soon

she was working as a gym monitor for badminton games and in the

climbing wall helping young climbers. After three years of volunteer

work, Jasmine joined Westside’s staff team working in the gym on

evenings and weekends. Along the way she’s learned a lot, developed

lasting skills, and made friendships that will last a lifetime.

“Some of the most memorable things about my childhood are the staff

and volunteers at Westside who created a safe and fun environment

for us to enjoy,” says Jasmine. “Now I’m that person. I’m responsible

for creating that place where others can make their own memories.

It’s come full circle.”

Jasmine is in her second year at University of Calgary pursuing a

degree in nursing. She will continue giving back to her community in

her work life, and use her experiences to best provide for the patients

she serves.

When asked what her time at Westside means to her, Jasmine says,

“Westside is truly the heart of our community. It has played an

immense role in making me who I am today. I’ve learned so much,

have been given tremendous opportunities, and have been supported

as a person on every level. When I come to work, I don’t just feel like

I’m here to do a job, I feel like I’m one of many family members.”

Where the Heart Is

Jasmine Wong


NUMBER OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

CERTIFIEDYOUTH USERS

CHILDCAREVISITS

2001

6,196

2015

27,100

2001 2015 2001

15,500

2015

20,614

*

* Youth Wellness Centre opened in 2010

Serving Our Youth

the future leaders of our communities

7,8730

99 15th Anniversary

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

VOLUNTEER HOURS

2001

2001

4,700 HOURS

2015

2015

11,003 HOURS

Staffing Excellence

through leadership and innovation


Westside’s senior management team

knows a thing or two about the Centre’s

history. After all, every one of them has

been here since the doors opened.

Recruitment started before and during construction for a team of

senior managers whose foresight, experience and programming

ability would kickstart the new centre and get things off on the right

foot. Board members began with the managing director, whose input

would shape Westside’s operational design. Over the coming months,

a group of the most innovative leaders in their respective fields were

hand-selected to set a new standard for recreation service delivery.

“We wanted to establish a culture of job ownership and pride from

the very beginning,” says Norma-Jean Hogg, Managing Director. “We

searched for managers who were willing to take the risk to be a part of

this new delivery model, who had an absolute commitment to service

and believed in the vision of something different for Calgarians. We

didn’t want to just meet expectations, we wanted to far exceed them.”

Fifteen years later, they are still here. They’ve experienced the

excitement of opening a new centre, growing pains in the early years,

working at capacity when demand outstripped physical space, a major

facility expansion and everything between. In a time where long-

term leadership and loyalty is increasingly rare, Westside’s team has

provided a strong foundation for its continued growth and success.

“Westside’s management team has a real synergy,” says Chris

Strutzenberger, Manager of Children’s Programs and HR. “We don’t

just oversee our areas, we work together to create our clients’ overall

experience throughout the facility. Westside members and users can

count on our continuity in high quality programs and services.”

Managers are universally excited for the opportunities and challenges

the coming years will bring. They are our strength at the very core.

Core Strength

Then Now

1111 15th Anniversary

Brenda MenghettiFounding Board Chair

Westside Recreation Centre began like

many great places, with a vision.Neighbours in newly developed west Calgary gathered around kitchen

tables and talked about a place where their kids could play, a social

gathering place, a center of life and vibrancy in their rapidly growing

communities. Enter then-alderman Dave Bronconnier and a group of

talented volunteers, and Westside Regional Recreation Society was

born.

Starting with five acres and some seed money, they knew they had

a long way to go before their vision could be realized. Thousands

of flyers would be delivered seeking skilled professionals who could

lead the charge to help build a multi-dimensional recreation complex

that would meet the needs of their neighbours and families. The first

meeting of the Society took place in March 1997.

“My kids were my inspiration,” says Brenda Meneghetti, founding board

chair. “I wanted them, their friends and families in our neighbourhood

to have access to the opportunities a recreation centre could offer.

As we moved through the consultation process, it turned out to be so

much more. From the board directors to those who painted faces at

the fundraisers, everyone got behind the project.”

After consulting with neighbours door-to-door and meeting with

76 stakeholder groups, Westside Recreation Centre was planned to

provide leisure spaces and activities for all ages, allow maximum

flexibility, and be fully self-supporting. The unique partnership they

forged with the City of Calgary would become a model that others

would follow. Three years of rallying, meeting, fundraising, consulting

and building resulted in Westside’s grand opening in November 2000.

“Westside represents far more than just recreation,” says Dave

Bronconnier. “It has become the heartbeat of the community, a hub

of its social and cultural life. Its success is the result of involving

communities right from the beginning and their commitment to

providing something for everyone, for all ages and abilities.”

Thanks to dedicated volunteers, community members who donated

to build the centre, and civic leaders who offered their unwavering

support, Westside serves almost 1.6 million visitors each year.

Westside was built by community. Together, they transformed their

neighbourhoods and the people in them.

Built by Community

“Westside represents far more than just recreation.”

-Dave Bronconnier


To support the post-secondary To support the post-secondary educational pursuits of its educational pursuits of its

employees, Westside awarded employees, Westside awarded scholarships to:scholarships to:

Mike Barevich – ArenaMike Barevich – Arena

Alyson Birce – AquaticsAlyson Birce – Aquatics

Roxanna Krankowski – Children’s Programs & Roxanna Krankowski – Children’s Programs &

ServicesServices

Connor Macdonald – AquaticsConnor Macdonald – Aquatics

Aaron Prosser – AquaticsAaron Prosser – Aquatics

Nathan Shipley – Customer ServiceNathan Shipley – Customer Service

Colin Spangelo – Children’s Programs & ServicesColin Spangelo – Children’s Programs & Services

James Suh – YouthJames Suh – Youth

Anton Zmushka – YouthAnton Zmushka – Youth

2015

9 STUDENTS$18,750

SINCE 2001

107 STUDENTS$168,200

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

SINCE 2001

$4,881,000

Engaging Our Stakeholders

in meaningful ways

$450,0002015

1313 15th Anniversary

Westside 2015 Board of Directors

Sheri EppBoard Chair

Norma-Jean Hogg Managing Director

Dan LewisDirector

Tony DiMaioPast Chair

Peter BryanDirector

Graham MarjoribanksDirector

Phil IrelandSecretary

Jeff CurranDirector

Nick MawhinneyDirector

Monica WoodwardTreasurer

Dominique GregoireDirector

Keith RockleyDirector


Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31

Assets 2015 2014

Current Assets $ 3,594,626 $ 2,895,359

Investments 28,491,606 27,951,985

Capital Assets 22,237,401 22,773,609

$54,323,633 $53,620,953

Liabilities

Current Liabilities $ 1,136,279 $ 923,850

Deferred Revenue 3,678,833 3,573,006

4,815,112 4,496,856

Fund Balances

Invested in Capital Assets 22,237,401 22,773,609

Externally Restricted 5,058,084 4,965,331

Internally Restricted 21,777,942 20,749,756

Unrestricted 435,094 635,401

49,508,521 49,124,097

$54,323,633 $53,620,953

Summarized Statement of Operations and Fund Activity for the year ended August 31 2015 2014

Operations Revenue $11,660,028 $11,658,899

Operations Expenses 10,769,345 10,341,221

Excess Operations Revenue over Expenses 890,683 1,317,678

Investment Income (Net) 588,922 3,381,548

Expansion Funding (Net) 20,115 50,824

Amortization (1,115,296) (1,119,540)

Fund Balance, beginning of year 49,124,097 45,493,587

Fund Balance, end of year $49,508,521 $49,124,097

Audited financial statements are available upon request.

2015 Financials

22 15th Anniversary

2000 69 Street SW

Calgary AB T3H 4V7

403. 531. 5875

www.westsiderec.com

15 years of promoting healthy...

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