Approved Materials - Reston Community Center

4. Adoption of strategies aligned with environmental best practices and reduced energy
consumption.
In examining the outcomes measurements, the staff has reviewed our existing programs, their
costs, and what strategies we might employ to further our objectives and goals. We looked at
our four lines of business: Arts & Events; Aquatics; Leisure & Learning; and Facility Rentals. In
addition, we examined our current Fee Waiver Program, program pricing, and facility rental
pricing. We also discussed the overall rationales for program subsidization. They are presented
here for context and understanding about program pricing and revenue recovery approaches.
RCC Subsidization of Programs – History and Categories
The programs and services of Reston Community Center are offered at rates below cost and
market to Restonians. Throughout the history of RCC, the philosophy has been to utilize the
resources from tax revenues to fully subsidize the costs associated with overhead: i.e.
administration personnel, building operations, equipment and maintenance, and personnel costs
that are associated with overall program delivery. Costs associated directly with programs and
service offerings are also subsidized, but at different levels. The Board of Governors examined
subsidization of offerings in 2006, and at that time, these three types of “subsidy” were
discussed:
Fully Subsidized: Soul of the Agency Programs
Pricing: Free or nominal fee to participate; costs greatly exceed recovered revenues from
users.
Examples of these are Festivals, Outdoor Concerts/Entertainment, After School Programs, ESL
and Citizenship classes, Professional Touring Artist Series, Water Safety Academy, DEAP, and
so on. We call these “Soul of the Agency” programs because they address the core of our
mission and vision, offer the broadest spectrum of the community opportunities to be together
and feel a sense of belonging, and build community traditions. Our Facility Rentals fall in this
category as well to be sure we can serve a broad cross-section of Reston individual social
needs and organizational meeting and event requirements.
Substantially Subsidized: Accessibility and Quality of Life Enhancement
Pricing: Fees are subsidized at a rate of 20% to 50% of direct costs.
Examples include offerings to the 55+ age cohort, teens, selected youth activities and drop-in
swimming and exercise programming. These are program offerings aligned with our mission
that contribute greatly to the quality of life for Reston residents and businesses. It is in this
category that RCC differs dramatically from similar offerings and programs in Park Authority and
other public agencies. The current trend is to recover direct costs either fully or even to exceed
direct costs to permit offset of overhead costs. RCC’s philosophy has been that since taxpayers
in Reston provide substantial resources to assure there are programs such as these, they
should be priced for “Reston” qualified patrons below typical offerings’ pricing elsewhere. The
period of enrollment exclusively for Reston patrons assures that we continue to see
approximately 90% or more of the programming or services filled by Reston participants.
Minimally Subsidized: Multiple Customer Options and Price Points
Pricing: Fees are priced to recover at minimum the direct costs for instruction, supplies, or
whatever other types of costs are associated specifically with the offering. Examples include
classes in areas where there are many providers in Reston, such as fitness, dance, fine arts,
swimming (if you consider both indoor and outdoor), trips, tours and workshops. Again,
offerings are populated at approximately 90% by Reston patrons.
Following the February 2013 input meeting, we determined that it would be prudent to review
our subsidy levels and pricing and provide the board with recommendations regarding
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