By Bill Clark

I have read several letters published in the Eden Prairie newspaper that criticized the proposed membership rates of the new Eden Prairie Community Center (EPCC). I have used the Community Center to play racquetball, work out and coached youth hockey for the last 16 years. To better understand what we ended up with it is important to review what the old EPCC was for the past 25 years. Though its name implies “community center” our old center was clearly a recreation center. The workout facilities were small and poorly ventilated. As far as holding “community” events or meetings, this was not easy since there were minimal areas to accommodate such gatherings. In addition the lobby area was too small to handle the traffic of people coming and going during events. Finally the concession area was added as an afterthought with no area to sit and visit while eating or drinking with friends or family.

I have been fortunate to tour the new facility during construction. The new EPCC will be one of the nicest community centers in the state. The new EPCC will provide a wonderful array of choices for families of all ages to use. The parking area has been expanded and improved. From the moment you walk in to the new EPCC you will be impressed. The lobby is now large enough to properly handle crowds. The concession area is well thought out with tables for people to sit at and windows to look out while eating or drinking with friends. In addition a full court gym will be able to host basketball, volleyball and other court games for people of all ages. The new racquetball courts will be well lit and be separated by a glass wall from the gym. The locker rooms have all been redesigned and improved in size, as well as layout and decor. Next as you head up the stairs toward the back of the lobby you will enter a large workout area with multiple pieces of equipment which is well lit from both windows and skylights. This second level will also overlook the gym as well as house a separate area for classes such as yoga, etc., and a weight room. Finally for parents with young children, an on-site child care center.

Obviously everyone would love to use the new EPCC at the old membership rates, but that is not realistic. I believe the measurement of the new EPCC rates should not be compared to the old EPCC but to comparable facilities. Most people join athletic facilities based on three criteria, location, amenities and cost. The new EPCC will be a very attractive location to many Eden Prairie residents, not only because of where it physically sits but also quite a few parents already go to EPCC to take their child to activities. While these parents’ children are enjoying their activity the parent can get in a workout. Since the new EPCC, Life Time and Flagship all offer many different pricing models, I gathered information on two very common memberships, single and family, which is defined by two parents with two teenage kids. Below is how the membership prices compare as of Nov. 24.

Name Facility:               Eden Prairie Community Center      Life Time Fitness Flagship Health

Type membership:

Single per month           $32          $80          $120

Family per month          $77          $150        $220

Day Pass                          $7.50       $20          $20

Initiation fee:                                  

Single                              $25          $99          $99

Family                             $25          $280        $280

 A lot of give and take went into the final plans. The ultimate success or failure of the new EPCC is not, what the rate increase was, from the old facility, to the new one, but by the number of people it serves and enjoyment they feel while using it. The old Community Center was just that, old. It was time for it to be upgraded. Is the new EPCC too fancy or expensive? I don’t know but I suggest you answer this question after you have tried the new facilities and compare the relative cost of the surrounding facilities. I suspect the new Community Center will be a very busy, fun place to be and, it will truly become a center of activity for our community for many years to come and that is something the old Community Center never achieved in its 25 years.

Bill Clark is an Eden Prairie resident and was chair of the Third Rink Committee.