A Concession To Reality At Elmhurst's Courts Plus

ELMHURST, IL — In the last few years, Courts Plus fitness center has been challenged by major private competitors, with more on the way in 2021, according to the Elmhurst Park District.

"The restrictions brought on by the pandemic, combined with individuals’ lack of comfort with indoor programming, have only exacerbated those financial challenges, resulting in decreased dues revenue generated as compared to 2020 budget projections," the park district said in a statement Tuesday.

Last year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker's pandemic order required the complete shutdown of facilities such as Courts Plus, 186 S. West Ave. Then he allowed a limited reopening. But the rules still prohibited use of certain parts of Courts Plus. So the park district lowered its rates.

As a result of the situation, Courts Plus will no longer be considered an enterprise operation with the expectation that it will run without any tax money, the district said.

Under the proposed budget for 2021, Courts Plus will get property tax money and dip into the district's reserves, according to the statement.

"Providing tax support to Courts Plus, a community-focused fitness center, will facilitate the District’s ability to provide critical fitness, health, and wellness programs and services while positioning the Courts Plus facility for future sustainability," the district said.

In a December 2019 interview, Jim Rogers, the park district's executive director, told Patch that Courts Plus had never received tax money because it was considered separate from the district's general operations. But he conceded it was losing business as it faced new competition such as Fitness Formula Clubs, or FFC, which opened in downtown Elmhurst in 2018.

In late 2019, the district reported that Courts Plus had seen a 16 percent drop in its membership income. At the time, Rogers described some other fitness centers as high-end, while Courts Plus was priced in the middle of the market.