What it means
Plano officials had announced the program’s October closure due to years of declining enrollment, difficulty recruiting qualified coaches and new cost recovery requirements that limit the Parks and Recreation Department’s ability to subsidize underperforming programs.
Susie Hergenrader, assistant director for recreation, said at a Nov. 10 meeting the program has recorded a net loss of about $98,000 for 2024-25 despite marketing efforts and operational adjustments.
“We never wanted to discontinue the program,” Hergenrader said. “The hope was to keep it going.”
What changed
The city’s new cost recovery policy, which was approved for parks and recreation programs by Plano City Council in February, has limited the department’s “ability to subsidize underperforming programs in the Recreation Revolving Fund,” according to a city statement.
While some services have target cost recovery ranges of 41%-61% or 61%-90%, recreation program fees, including the Plano Aerobats, have a target cost recovery of 100%, according to city documents.
In the last five years, the program has consolidated from two gyms to one and seen staff reductions, Hergenrader said.
What’s next?
After sunsetting the program May 31, 2026, city officials will begin considering alternate uses for the gym space at the Oak Point Recreation Center.
Hergenrader said potential uses could include leasing the space to a private gym, converting it into a multiuse athletic space or replacing the professional gymnastic team with classes only.
“We hope this additional time provides families and gymnasts the flexibility and advance notice needed to plan ahead,” the program’s website states. “We know how meaningful this program has been to so many.”
