Elevation Place has its first new position approved with council voting to hire a full time climbing gym supervisor for a three-and-a-half-year period.
General manager of municipal services Lorrie O’Brien presented the new position to council at its June 5 meeting.
However it was at a previous council meeting and presentation by the climbing gym stakeholder group that emphasized the importance of hiring an effective supervisor for the facility as soon as possible.
“The hiring of this individual is directly tied to (the facility’s) ongoing success and therefore it is recommended that the Town of Canmore hire a climbing gym supervisor immediately in 2012,” states the staff report.
O’Brien noted the municipality’s understanding of the business is limited and hiring the three-and-a-half-year position will provide the needed resources to begin. The supervisor is expected to develop a comprehensive climbing program, have experience in the climbing business, grow the business and build partnerships and evaluate the program after three years.
The position is budgeted to cost $258,611 in total. That includes $28,500 for salary and $6,840 in benefits for 2012 and annual salary and benefits reaching $76,634 by 2015.
Previously the municipality issued a request for proposal for an operator of the climbing gym facility but did not receive submissions that met council’s expectations. It was decided the municipality would take on the responsibility of running the $6 million facility as part of the $39 million multiplex itself.
A proforma income statement as part of the staff report shows administration expects to run a deficit for the first three years. Year one has expenses over revenues by $12,279, year two $3,700 and year three $3,326.
