2023 Recreation Department Annual Report

CITY OF O’FALLON, MISSOURI

Introduction

The City of O'Fallon Recreation Department is composed of three divisions that serve the community in their recreational needs. It is our mission to enrich the resident’s quality of life through people, parks, and programs and to remain one of the premier parks and recreation destinations within the greater St. Louis area and the State of Missouri. Every position in our department plays an important role in our mission. As a whole, our organization relies on four core values that all employees strive to embody when representing the City of O'Fallon's Recreation Department.

Service

Excellent service should be at the forefront of every employee's action. Whether they are serving a patron or another staff member, employees are expected to be friendly, accessible, and proactive As a municipal organization we strive to serve the community, going above and beyond to resolve questions, concerns, or complaints

Community

The City of O'Fallon represents an expansive community that should be reflected in the programs and activities put on by the Recreation Department. Our organization holds community as a core value, with an emphasis on accessible, inclusive, diverse, and equitable services Engagement and connection with our residents is a top priority for our employees

Wellness

Overall well being starts with recreation. Our organization emphasizes the importance of physical and mental health through fun and fitness The actions of the recreation staff should always promote the wellness of the O'Fallon community

Culture

The work-place culture within the Recreation Department should promote a positive atmosphere centered on teamwork, innovation, and collaboration. Employees are encouraged to support and uplift each other, offering assistance whenever needed

Recreation Department Divisions

Recreation

The Recreation Division represents all programs and services that take place in O’Fallon’s parks and beyond. From soccer practice to dance recitals, the Recreation Division encompasses a variety of recreational activities. A trip to Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center, a rental at O’Day Lodge and a purchase from a concession stand are all powered by the recreation team

Renaud Center

The Renaud Center Division represents all of the services offered within O’Fallon’s premier recreational center, the Renaud Center The Renaud Center Division includes memberships, youth programs, swim lessons, personal training and much more. While the primary purpose of the center is to promote health and wellness, patrons can find programs and events of all kinds at the Renaud Center.

Tourism & Festivals

The Tourism & Festivals division represents the large show stopping events that the City of O’Fallon is known for. The purpose of this division is to bring visitors to the City and provide entertainment opportunities to our residents. This division is busy year round with events such as the Heritage and Freedom Fest, Celebration of Lights, Fall into the Arts, and more.

Department Organization

Recreation

Staff Directory

Craig Feldt

Recreation

Dalton Patton

Danielle Reecht

Jennifer Hoisington

Funderburk

Stevie Weeks

Recreation Manager Tourism & Festivals Recreation Manager

Abby Rose Recreation

& Fitness

Amy Jordan

Carissa Short

Ali McCulloch

& Memberships Brandon Collins

Recreation

Staff Directory

Darcy Skillington

Recreation Specialist

Front Desk & Adult Activities

Jenna Chwascinski

Recreation Specialist

Tourism & Festivals

Holly Brocksmith

Recreation Specialist

Birthday Parties & Concessions

Teresa Schmidt

Recreation Specialist

Tourism & Festivals

Ashley Johnson

Recreation Assistant

Tyler Hogg

Recreation Specialist

Aquatics Operations

Rachael Feeler

Pool Supervisor

Mariah Davis

Recreation Assistant

Certifications and Licenses

CPRP

The National Recreation and Parks Association, the leading organization for standards in the Parks and Recreation field, offers the Certified Parks and Recreation Professional certification as further education. The CPRP covers the expansive range of responsibilities that a Parks and Recreation professional should be prepared for. The CPRP course teaches budgeting, financial procedures, programming evaluations, parks and facility operations, marketing, staffing, and more. The City of O’Fallon’s Recreation Department currently has five employees with a CPRP certification. All staff members benefit from NRPA sponsored educational events, and more staff members are slated for a CPRP certification in the future.

Personal Training & Fitness

Influencing a client’s fitness journey is a big responsibility that the fitness team at the Renaud Center does not take lightly. From personal trainers to group fitness instructors, all staff are required to have certifications in their area of expertise. The Renaud Center’s personal trainers are Personal Trainer Certified through the American Council on Exercise. This course allows them to learn evidence-based exercise science to better understand their role with a client. Trainers learn the proper procedure for assessments, programming, behavior change, modifications and legal guidelines to meet the required standards. Fitness Instructors receive the Group Fitness Instructor Certification, allowing them to design comprehensive classes that cater to the needs and fitness levels of each participant.

Lifeguards

The staff in the aquatics division are responsible for overseeing the safety and rescue of patrons in the pools. To aid them in their success, staff receive specialized training and certifications. The Lifeguard Certification is required for any aquatics team member. This certification teaches the lifesaving skills of CPR, AED usage, first aid, lifeguarding regulations and all rescue skills.

Certified Pool Operator

Managing an aquatics facility requires highly trained staff members who can oversee the maintenance and chemical balancing of the pools. The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals combined with the National Swimming Pool Foundation to create the standards for successful pool operation. Two of the full-time employees in the City of O’Fallon’s Recreation Department are Certified Pool Operators through this program. CPOs learn how to navigate chemical, electrical, biological, and physical hazards to make pools a safer place for everyone. The standards under this certification meet the health code requirements for the states of Missouri and Illinois as well as St. Louis and St. Charles County.

Facilities

Renaud Center

The Renaud Center is O’Fallon’s 66,000square-foot indoor recreation complex. This facility features an expansive gymnasium, exceptional natatorium, state-of-the-art fitness center, and programming for all ages.

Daily Admission Visits: 17,993

Daily Admission Revenue: $154,535

Memberships: 2,204 in December of 2023

Memberships Revenue: $1,310,086.41

Improvements:

New playground installed

Gymnasium floor resurfaced

Aerobics Studio floor resurfaced

Pool play structure repainted

Pool slide tower repainted

New cardio equipment

All baseboards replaced throughout the facility

Alligator's Creek Aquatic Center

Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center is one of the finest outdoor aquatic centers in the area, featuring amenities such as three water slides, a lazy river, an interactive playground, lap lanes, and a large concession stand.

Daily Admission Visits: 19,195

Daily Admission Revenue: $182,652.00

Season Passes: 207

Season Passes Revenue: $56,297 50

Improvements:

Painted the surface of the competition pool and leisure pool

Replaced all Funbrella covers Repaired a leak in the leisure pool

Facilities

O'Day Lodge

O’Day Lodge is a spacious banquet center located in O’Day Park. This venue features a large multi-purpose room for weddings, conferences and more

Rentals: 77

Revenue: $108,370.08

Improvements:

The dividing wall was removed

Interior walls repainted

Tour times expanded

Krekel Civic Center

The Krekel Civic Center is a versatile community center in Civic Park. This venue features three multi-purpose rooms that can combine into one large event hall. This facility is home to the Civic Dance program.

Rentals: 101

Revenue: $43,885.00

Improvements:

Tour times expanded

Park Pavilions

The City of O’Fallon offers eleven rentable pavilions throughout the City’s parks. Pavilion amenities range from barbecue pits, playground access, electricity and various sizes for every event

Rentals: 668

Revenue: $52,010.00

Program Accomplishments

Aquatics

The aquatics team provides a wide range of programs and services within the Recreation Department. This team manages the maintenance and operations of the Renaud Center indoor pool and Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center. They also coordinate the O’Fallon Swim Academy, which offers private, semi-private and group swim lessons for a range of ages. The Torpedoes Swim Team is organized and led by several dedicated swim coaches. The aquatics team also oversees the popular aqua aerobics classes at the Renaud Center. This team is made up of hundreds of staff members, including lifeguards, head guards, pool supervisors, swim instructors and swim coaches. The aquatics staff remain dedicated to the safety, education, and fun of O’Fallon’s residents.

Swim Lessons

The O’Fallon Swim Academy offers 11 levels of group swim lessons for ages from infant to 6+. Swimmers are grouped by age and ability to ensure everyone is learning and progressing at their own pace. Private and semi-private lessons are available for more personalized instruction. The O’Fallon Swim Academy is a program designed to serve the community by teaching vital, life saving skills and having fun while doing it. Participants and their families are engaged in a progressive course, building skills over time with new techniques in every lesson. Staff spent the 2023 season working to improve the lesson registration and scheduling process.

2023 Participant Stats:

Group Swim Lessons: 2,247

Semi-Private Swim Lessons: 381

Private Swim Lessons: 887

2023 Revenue Stats:

Group Swim Lessons: $142,718.06

Semi-Private Swim Lessons: $16,850.00

Private Swim Lessons: $54,067.00

Aquatics Cont. Program Accomplishments

Torpedoes Swim Team

The Torpedoes Swim Team is based at Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center in Civic Park. Participants compete in the St. Charles County Summer Swim Team League. The team accepts swimmers from 8 years to 13+. Participants build on swimming skills with competitive drills and activities.

2023 Stats:

Enrollments: 174

Revenue: $28,902.50

Aqua Aerobics

For many patrons of the Renaud Center, the natatorium is a place to get in a workout that is easy on the joints. The aqua aerobics classes offer exercise opportunities for those recovering from medical procedures or facing chronic pain in a low-impact way that allows them to still get active and strengthen their bodies. These classes include strength and cardio training, as well as flexibility and weight management. The instructors formulate creative and interactive activities including water walking through the lazy river, games, and challenging routines that get participant’s hearts pumping. The aqua aerobics classes are incredibly popular, with a high rate of returning students with each new session. In 2023, the class schedule was expanded to meet the program’s growing demand.

2023 Stats:

Sessions: 64

Enrollments: 2,094

Revenue: $43,563.45

Program Accomplishments

Youth Programs

The Recreation Department’s youth programs span across several locations. Programs are available year round for all ages, abilities, and interests. Children are invited to learn new skills, develop social bonds, and have fun in this array of classes. The youth programs team offers classes such as Tae Kwon Do, tumbling, painting, cooking and more. Parents and family members are invited to join in on the fun for some quality time, or enjoy a well deserved break while the child participates in class. Children benefit greatly by socializing with others, often making life long friends. The youth programs team also coordinates the department’s Civic Dance studio and summer camps. These programs create the foundation of opportunities that the Recreation Department offers the young community.

2023 Stats:

Tae Kwon Do Enrollments: 77

Tae Kwon Do Revenue: $4,130.00

Tumbling Enrollments: 198

Tumbling Revenue: $8,406.00

Misc. Class Enrollments: 32

Misc. Class Revenue: $1,133.00

Civic Dance

The Civic Dance Studio, located within the Krekel Civic Center in Civic Park, is home to a 9-month dance program. This encourages students to improve throughout the school year and culminates with a year-end dance recital. The instructors of this program emphasize technique, placement, elegance, and discipline. The curriculum is designed to help students build a progressive foundation for dance skills. Disciplines range from ballet, tumbling, tap, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary, with class levels for beginners through advanced dancers. Private lessons are available to bring dancers to the next level with one-on-one instruction.

2023 Stats:

Seasonal Enrollment Average: 67

Total Revenue: $77,151.24

Recital Attendance: 1,319

Recital Revenue: $7,896.00

Program Accomplishments

Youth Programs Cont.

Camps

The Recreation Department’s camp program consists of popular summer day camps, specialty camps and other seasonal offerings such as winter break camp and spring break camp. With a large staff of engaging and well trained counselors, O’Fallon’s camp programs have developed a reputation of being reliable, accommodating, and fun. Participants enjoy exciting field trips and in-house entertainment, crafts, games, and much more. Campers may also package their time at camp with swim lessons. The camps are hosted at three locations in the O’Fallon parks system: Camp JACK at the Renaud Center, Camp GATOR at the Krekel Civic Center, and the specialty camps at O’Day Lodge. In 2023, camp staff began preparing to expand their offerings for the 2024 season, developing Camp OTTER for O’Day Park.

2023 Stats:

Camp JACK Enrollment: 854

Camp JACK Revenue: $142,252.00

Camp GATOR Enrollment: 1,058

Camp GATOR Revenue: $172,517.00

Winter Break Camp Enrollment: 34

Winter Break Camp Revenue: $3,086.00

Spring Break Camp Enrollment: 20

Spring Break Camp Revenue: $2,022.00

Supportingthe

O’Fallon’s camp program works with many kids that need special accommodations. Staff meet with every parent, creating a specialized plan to best meet their child’s individual needs One child that staff had a blast working with the summer of 2023 was Parker Parker is a sensory loving, giggly boy with autism He received one-on-one personal attention from his counselor to ensure he had a safe and fun experience at camp. Parker loves the water, so staff created a schedule that allowed him to play at the Splash Pad in Civic Park in the morning and swim at the Renaud Center in the afternoon The staff worked hard to build a relationship with Parker and his family to welcome everyone into the program.

Athletics Program Accomplishments

The athletics team relies on the City’s outstanding athletic facilities to provide a range of programs. Activities span from Sports Park, Dames Park, Westhoff Park, Ozzie Smith Sports Complex and the Renaud Center The athletics team caters to all ages, ensuring there are opportunities for everyone interested in getting involved in sports To prepare for the growing demand of athletic programming, staff began plans to expand offerings in the future. This includes additional athletic camps, new softball leagues, and more. The department also created and released the Athletics Handbook to establish policies and procedures for those participating in athletics programs This document contains the expectations for staff, coaches and participants in all sport programs, including registration requirements and rain-out information At the end of 2023, the department introduced it’s first pickleball tournament. The event’s success will drive further tournaments and pickleball programming in the coming years.

Soccer

Spring and fall are the prime seasons for O’Fallon’s soccer programs From leagues to CORE training programs, there are both indoor and outdoor opportunities for participants to enjoy.

2023 Stats:

Enrollments: 1,425

Revenue: $107.151.60

Volleyball

The Renaud Center is host to O’Fallon’s volleyball leagues and clinics. These programs are co-ed and available to children ages 8-15 to fine tune their volleyball skills and compete with others.

2023 Stats:

Enrollments: 336

Revenue: $36,708 13

T-Ball&CoachPitch

WesthoffParkishometotwosix-weekbaseball programs,T-BallandCoachPitch.Childrenages 4-7learnthefundamentalsofbaseballata beginnerlevelthatallowseveryonetoparticipate

2023Stats:

Enrollments:296

Revenue:$15,38540

Basketball

BigShotsBasketballandBasketballCampatthe RenaudCentercreatefutureAll-Starswith foundationalskillsandfunactivities The programsincludepracticetimeandgames againsttheirfellowparticipants.

2023Stats:

Enrollments: 95

Revenue: $4,654.00

Softball

The Adult Softball League at Ozzie Smith Sports Complex is a long standing tradition for many teams Players participate in 12-game recreational leagues under USSSA guidelines League options include co-ed, recreational and competitive 2023 Stats:

Enrollments: 187 teams

Revenue: $87,910.25

Pickleball

Pickleball is one sport that has taken the nation by storm To meet it’s growing popularity, the Recreation Department created a new pickleball league in 2023. Participants enjoyed refreshments, medals and t-shirts to celebrate the event. Outdoor pickleball clinics were also hosted around O’Fallon’s exceptional parks.

2023 Stats:

Enrollments: 108

Revenue: $8,525 00

Program Accomplishments

Fitness

Fitness at the Renaud Center goes beyond the walking track and equipment Members and guests are provided countless opportunities to get active, educate themselves on their health, and seek professional guidance on their journey. The fitness team offers group fitness classes for all interests and ability levels. For more one-on-one attention, members can also sign up for small group training or personal training In 2023, fitness participation numbers hit an all time high Personal training packages repeatedly exceeded each month’s previous record, ending the year with over $10,000 more in revenue than 2022. There were over 2,000 participants in group fitness classes for every month of 2023, where as only four months in 2022 exceeded that goal. By the end of 2023, there were over 4,500 more participants in group classes than the previous year. Staff worked hard to improve registration and scheduling practices and marketed these programs to better meet the needs of the community The fitness team worked to develop new programs at the request of the participants, creating a kickboxing class and family fitness class.

Group Fitness

In 2023, the group fitness instructors offered over 22 classes for participants to join in. The schedule included high intensity interval training such as HITT 45 and HITT Burn as well as relaxing classes like yoga The fitness team also included a variety of senior-focused fitness classes through Silver Sneakers From Silver Sneakers Cardio Fit to Silver Sneakers Stability, there are levels to accommodate anyone’s goals or abilities. 2023 Stats:

Class Visits: 26,873

Fitness Upgrade Memberships: 932

Fitness Upgrade Revenue: $35,044.32

Personal Training

Personal training reached a new peak in popularity in 2023. The Renaud Center’s fitness professionals work one-on-one with their clients to provide a program tailored just for them. Trainers provide instruction on proper weight lifting techniques and exercise habits that give excellent results Personal training packages are available for 1-24 sessions and can be modified to allow couples to train together

2023 Stats: Packages Sold: 176 Sessions: 886

Revenue: $43,285.20

Strengthening the Community

Fitness programs are about more than losing weight and building mass These programs can change the quality of life for participants Dennis, a regular attendee of the SWAT group fitness class, had a quadruple bypass in August of 2015 Dennis has attended this class for years in order to stay active and keep up with his grand children. Having a supportive and inclusive community has made all the difference in his wellness journey.

Birthday Parties

One popular service in the Recreation Department is the year-round birthday parties at the Renaud Center and the seasonal parties at Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center. Parents can choose from a selection of themes and colors to personalize their child’s party, showing up with friends and family in tow to let staff take over hosting from there Birthday packages include cake and a private party room to open presents and eat Pizzas may also be added to the parties at an additional cost. After getting their fill of cake and pizza, participants are taken to the pool area where the fun continues with hours of swimming in the Recreation Department’s pristine pools. 2023 Stats:

Total Packages Sold: 258 Revenue: $73,497 50

Special Events Program Accomplishments

The Recreation Department coordinates a series of small special events for families to participate in throughout the year. At Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center, they hosted the Duckie Dive, Pool Paws Swim, Cardboard Boat Races, Popppin’ Summer Days, and a Father’s Day pop up event. The Renaud Center was host to Nerf Wars, the Snowball Blizzard Blitz, the Pumpkin Plunge, and a Mother’s Day painting workshop Outside of these facilities, residents can find a variety of seasonal events to join in around the parks In the fall, Fort Zumwalt Park is home to hayrides and a scenic bonfire In the spring, families can come together for a father daughter dance at O’Day Lodge There are also trivia nights with new and exciting themes offered at the Krekel Civic Center. The special events team worked to develop even more engaging events for the 2024 season, including Mom’s Prom and Princess ParTEA.

2023 Stats:

Total Event Enrollment: 726

Total Event Revenue: $11,815.00

Concessions

The Recreation Department operates concessions stands in all of O’Fallon’s athletic parks as well as the Renaud Center and Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center. Guests and participants enjoy a variety of refreshments during games, tournaments and visits to the parks.

2023 Stats: Concessions Sales: $209,250.93

Adult Activities

Adult activities have been in development since the beginning of the 2023 season Staff have worked to brainstorm exciting new opportunities for the adult community, conducting surveys to ensure they are best meeting the needs of their participants The adult activities team hosted a series of bingo events in 2023, partnering with local businesses to sponsor and lead the games The adult activities team also launched a new program called Tech Time, with Grandon’s Tech Service. This educational event will be an ongoing series that the team hopes to expand in the coming year. Silver Social Hour quickly became a popular staple for Renaud Center guests as well, welcoming seniors to play a game of cards and catch up with friends.

Cultural Arts Program Accomplishments

O’FallonTheatreWorks

Since2001,O’FallonTheatreWorkshasbeen producingmusicals,dramasandcomediesto instructyoungactorsandengagethecommunity inthearts.In2023,theprogramputonthree productions:BeMoreChillinApril,RadiumGirls inJuly,andEmmainOctober.Participantsinthe productionswerenominatedfor24awards throughArtsforLife,includingawardsforset creation,lightingdesign,leadactressandmore. AudienceshavelongbeencaptivatedbyO’Fallon TheatreWorksproductions.In2023,the attendancenumbersandconcessionssaleswere fantastic!

2023Stats:

BeMoreChillTickets:470

BeMoreChillRevenue:$5,566.00

RadiumGirlsTickets:639

RadiumGirlsRevenue:$6,452.00

EmmaTickets:364

EmmaRevenue:$5,22200

Workshops

Tobetterprepareyoungandnewactorsforthe O’FallonTheatreWorksproductions,thecultural artsteamdesignedworkshopstotakeplaceprior totheshow’sauditions.Theworkshopswerewell received,withparticipantsprovidingpositive feedbackontheopportunitytolearnandprepare fromthedirectorsdirectlybeforetheauditions. Therewere16participantsoverallThecultural artsteamwillcontinuetodesigneducational opportunitiestocoincidewiththeirproductions inthefuture

Classes

Theculturalartsteamisintheprocessof developingmoreclassesinavarietyof disciplinesIn2023,thedepartmentofferedeight classestotalTheseprogramsrangedfrom theaterclasses(ActingItOut,SensationalSongs andFunwithFosse)toartclassesandworkshops (SmockOptionalPaintingClass,DreamDotsand more).Staffhopefortheseprogramstocontinue togrowinthecomingyear

TheShapeofCommunity

TheShapeofCommunityisacity-widesculpture exhibitionfeaturinglarge-scaleworksofartin prominentareasthroughoutthecity.This exhibitionisuniquetotheSt.Louismetropolitan area,highlightingtensculpturesforan18-month period.Aself-guidedtourisavailablefor residentstofullyimmersethemselvesin O’Fallon’sartwithexplanationsoftheartist’s inspirationandinterpretation.

ArtExhibits

TheCityofO’Fallonhasthreeartgallerieslocated withintheKrekelCivicCenter,theRenaudCenter andO’Fallon’sCityHallThesegalleriesfeature thetalentofvariousartiststhroughouttheyear In2023,thefollowingartistsweredisplayedat eachlocation

CityHall:

GrantHargate(January-May)

KristenTordella-Williams(July-August)

JacobJanes(September-December)

KrekelCivicCenter: O’FallonPhotoClub(January-May)

DeloresJenson(July-August)

ThomasThornberry(September-December)

RenaudCenter: SandraGriffin(January-May)

BethHouse(July-August)

CourtneyFlamm(September-January)

Tourism & Festivals

Heritage & Freedom Fest

O’Fallon celebrated another Heritage & Freedom Fest July 1st - July 4th. This four-day Independence Day celebration included live entertainment, a magnificent carnival and midway, professional sideshows, two nights of fireworks and the area’s longest parade. Chris Lane headlined the main stage on July 3rd. Up-and-coming country artist Restless Road was his opening act. Local entertainment included Mark Perkins and Nick Gusman & the Coyotes.

Classic Rock legends 38 Special performed on July 4th Tommy DeCarlo, singer of the band Boston, Root Mod and Dazed N Confused STL were their supporting acts 30 vendors lined the boulevard and festival grounds selling a variety of products 54 businesses and organizations participated in the July 4th parade The 2 1-mile parade route began at Main Street and Civic Park Drive and ended at T R Hughes Boulevard Event Revenue: $119,759.00

Whiskers & Wags

Createdin2022,thisadoptioneventhelpslocal sheltersfindforeverhomesfortheirfurryfriends whilealsoprovidinganopportunityforpet ownerstoenjoyadayintheparkwiththeirfourleggedfriends.Over800wereinattendance. 13localpetadoptionagencieswereon-siteand atleast6adoptionleadstookplacetheday-of theevent.15vendorsweresellingpet-related products

St.LouisAgilitytrainingofSuburbanSt.Louisand O’Fallon’sPoliceDepartmentperformedK-9 demonstrationsthroughouttheevent EventRevenue:$4,150.00

Wedding Expo at O’Day Lodge

Saying “yes” was just the beginning. The Wedding Expo at O’Day Lodge provides brides with the opportunity to meet with experienced wedding planners and vendors who can help achieve their fairytale wedding. 121 brides attended the 2023 event.

Event Revenue: $1,600.00

Jammin’ Concert Series

An O’Fallon staple, the Jammin’ Concert Series runs for 10 weeks each summer in Civic Park and includes some of the area’s best entertainment Each Tuesday attendees can expect a free concert, food trucks and concessions, and activities provided by our sponsors. This year’s most popular concerts included Garden Party, Legynds 77 (a Lynard Skynard Tribute), The Lone Rangers, Brushville, and Sometimes a Fantasy (a Billy Joel Tribute). In total, there were anywhere from 1,000 - 1,300 people each evening.

Event Revenue: $10,064.00

Food Truck Events

O’Fallon’sfoodtruckeventsbringtogethergreat foodandevengreatercompanyintwoofour parks.Attendeesalsoenjoylivemusicand seasonalactivitiesatbothFoodTruckFrightand FoodTruckFrenzy.

FoodTruckFrenzytookplaceonJune23rdat SportsPark13foodtruckswereinattendance FoodTruckFrighttookplaceonOctober13that DamesPark8foodtruckswereinattendance EventRevenue:$12,193.00

Tourism & Festivals

Celebration of Lights

A million twinkling lights and holiday scenes transformed Fort Zumwalt Park into O’Fallon’s very own Winter Wonderland. The display opens annually on Black Friday and runs through December 30th.

Scenes were designed and funded by local organizations, churches and businesses as a way of fundraising for their group. This year 9 organizations participated in creating scenes for their display. 4 additional groups raised funds by working the gates. In total, the groups received $21,265.14 toward their respective missions.

Three groups received awards for their displays, voted on by their peers:

O’Fallon Fire Protection District

O’Fallon Lions Club

Marine Corps League Detachment 725

Over 12,000 tickets were purchased for this year’s event

Trolley rides were introduced as a new experience for visitors to enjoy Trolleys ran on weekend evenings and were well-received by the community.

Ticket Revenue: $168,292.00

Trolley Revenue: $9,455.45

Specialty Ride Revenue: $9,765.00

Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll

Visitors can experience the magic of Celebration of Lights up close during O’Fallon’s Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll!

In 2023, the festivals team added a third night to this popular event All three evenings sold out There were 15,000 walkers that came through the park to see the lights

Firework displays occured over Lake Whetsel at 7:00 PM and 7:45 PM each night

Ticket Revenue: $67,911 00

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Mayor Bill Hennessy welcomed Santa to O’Fallon for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony! Once the tree is lit, children can enjoy holiday games and contests while their parents stroll through the holiday market

In the spirit of giving, donations of canned and boxed food and personal care items were collected to share with local food pantries. Cold-weather accessories such as hats, scarves and gloves were also collected for donation.

19 vendors participated in the holiday market.

Event Revenue: $1,200.00

Tourism & Festivals

Luau in the Park

Newtothisyear’seventlineupwasLuauinthe Park.OnJune3rd,O’DayParkAmphitheater transformedintoO’Fallon’sveryownLuau! AuthenticHawaiian-stylefoodandentertainment werethemainfocusofthisculturalevent. Entertainmentincludedhuladancersandafire performer LocalcateringcompanyHeavySmokeBBQ providedadeliciousHawaiian-inspiredbuffet, anddrinkswereprovidedbyBarley&Vine EventRevenue:$4,560.00

Shakespeare in the Park

St.LouisShakespeareFestivalmeetsO’Fallonat ourPerformanceinthePark!Shakespeareinthe Parkhasentertainedoveramillionpeoplesince 2001.TheirTourCoprogram,astripped-down, actor-centricproductionfeaturesaversatilecast thattravelsthroughthegreaterSt.Louisarea performingforvariouscommunities,schoolsand organizations.

TheMerryWivesofWindsortroupperformedat O’DayParkAmphitheaterinAugusttoacrowdof 500+.Inadditiontoanincredibletheatrical performance,attendeesenjoyedfoodtruckfare. EventRevenue:$24000

Fall into the Arts

HeldatO’DayPark,thisone-dayfestival celebratesallthevarioustypesofartmediums, food,drinkandmusicInaddition, demonstrationsofblacksmithing,painting,and aluminumcastingalsotakeplaceforpatronsto enjoy

Over30vendorsjoinedusin2023,sellinga varietyofpiecesincludingpaintings,hand-made jewelry,candles,ceramicsandmore EventRevenue:$5,080

Summer Sendoff

SummerSendoffwavesgoodbyetotoasty weatherandsayshellotoback-to-schoolfun Attendeesenjoygames,foodandentertainment attheO’DayParkAmphitheaterIn2023,there werearound400individualswhocameoutto playandlearnmoreabouttheprogramsoffered byO’FallonParks&Recreation EventRevenue:$1,200.00

Community Engagement

Creating Connections

Find Your Fit Week

In 2022, the Renaud Center introduced a new initiative focused on member recruitment and engagement: Find Your Fit Week

This one-week celebration of all things Renaud Center includes free classes, giveaways, and membership discounts The events follow the annual shutdown maintenance period and plays off of the natural excitement that comes with welcoming members back to the facility.

In 2023, the Renaud Center welcomed 50 new members during the Find Your Fit promotional week.

Park Passport

O’Fallon Parks & Recreation introduced a new engagement opportunity to our community in 2023: the O’Fallon Park Passport. With more than 400 acres of parkland spread across O'Fallon, the goal of the Park Passport program was to help connect residents and visitors to the multitude of amenities provided throughout their great parks.

In addition to connecting the community with our parks, the Passport was created to educate families on the many departments who work alongside us to make our recreation programs and events successful

Sponsorships

A sponsorship with O’Fallon Parks & Recreation is more than a business opportunity. It’s a chance for our businesses and organizations to connect with their community.

Our sponsorship packages provide partners with community exposure, company recognition and an enhanced public image. In 2023, our team worked with 24 new business partners and saw a 6% increase in sponsorship revenue

Sponsorship Totals by Event

Tourism &

Festivals

Heritage & Freedom Fest: $27,750 00

Jammin’ Concert Series: $5,875.00

Food Truck Frenzy & Fright: $4,500.00

Summer Sendoff: $1,500.00

Fall Into the Arts: $2,250.00

Tree Lighting Ceremony: $750.00

Whiskers & Wags: $2,750.00

Celebration of Lights: $7,600 00

Recreation Programs

Youth Athletics: $3,550 00

Summer Camp: $1,500 00

Pool Paws Dog Swim: $150.00

Alligator’s Creek: $1,000.00

Renaud Center Programs

Community Partners: $340.00

Find Your Fit Week: $250.00