User:Student7/Sandbox 3
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Our Club is a not-for-profit self-owned gymnasium located in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida. It claims to be the largest, unsubsidized, taxpaying, cooperative gymnasium in the United States. The President is Ronald Fashano (term ends 2008). The membership is capped at 2500 members. There is a waiting list. It is sited on two acres and is appraised at $2,869,460 in 2007.[1] The club paid $52,314.56 in taxes in 2006 plus over a $1,000 in non-valoren taxes.[2]
The club is notable for several reasons:
- Member-owned
- Members feel a pride in ownership
- 50 volunteers each month staff the check-in desk. They receive free membership
- Corporation. No liability to members
- Drawback - No equity to members either
- Pays real estate taxes
- Constructed new building
- Offers free classes in aquatics and aerobics
Families may join for $50. Dues are $30 monthly for each person. There are no contracts. All members vote annually on board members who run the club. Classes are free to members - aerobics, yoga, pilates. There are dozens of classes each week.
The gym offers Weights & Cardio, Aquatics, Step Aerobics, Pilates, and Yoga. Club amenities include a 75' Lap Pool, a Steam Room, Sauna and Hot Tub.
The club owns its own building which contains the following facilities:
- Weightlifting area and training machines
- Aerobics equipment - treadmills, cross-trainers, and steppers
- Swimming pool
- Aerobics area
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[edit] History
In 1986, Jack Vaughn, a local attorney, went to his gymnasium located in the former Winn-Dixie plaza in Indialantic. It was padlocked by their creditors who were foreclosing on the tenant. Vaughn met with other former members to see what might be done. They decided to purchase the assets of the former club, including the lease, and form their own cooperative. This became "Our Club".[3]
In early 1998, the club was struck by a "weak" tornado (F0) that tore off the roof and allowed rain to enter causing substantial damage. This forced the club to close the doors for a week or two.[4]
The shopping center where the lease was held began experiencing loss of tenants. When this occurred, the club was quite ready to convert the space to gym use. This dismayed the owner who perceived themselves as hostages to the club. Later, when the owners lost their main anchor, a large grocery, the rent began to climb.
About 2002, the club decided to construct its own building. They purchased a lot in Indian Harbour Beach and built there. This effort was led by past president Dr. Bob Annis.
[edit] Controversy
The club was sued by two former members of the board who were not allowed to take financial records from the office home with them to audit. This suit is pending.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ http://www.brevardpropertyappraiser.com/asp/Show_parcel.asp?acct=2715304&gen=T&tax=T&bld=T&oth=T&sal=T&lnd=T&leg=T&GoWhere=real_search.asp&SearchBy=Owner retrieved June 2007
- ^ http://brevardtaxcollector.governmax.com/collectmax/tab_collect_mvptaxV5.4.asp?wait=done&t_nm=collect%5Fmvptax&l_cr=1&t_wc=%7Cparcelid%3D2715304%2E0000++++++++%7Cyear%3D2006&sid=369CA70CF08F409BA4913BBD4A4DFA15 retrieved June 2007
- ^ Wirth, Jennifer, Members takeover a success,Florida Today,June 14, 2001
- ^ Brevard rebounds from storms,Florida Today,February 21, 1999
[edit] External links
It was unique for a) being a coop gymnasium, b) at $30/month being affordable, and c) being self-supporting, not begging for donations like the YMCA, or whatever, d) paying taxes (!) normal regular real estate taxes, (perhaps as non-profit not paying corporate taxes though) and c) offering most classes free including dozens of aerobics, and water classes weekly. It should be a model for all future coop gyms in the country. Instead we have Ys begging for corporate suppport and not paying taxes, county supported gyms, etc. All essentially non-viable institutions.
It is a not-for-profit group like the YMCA which probably has a page, is not a for-profit like Gold's Gym, which has a page. It often has a waiting list (capped at 2,000 members). It doesn't need members particularly.
