A NIce Idea

There was a woman registered for the boxing class who was interested in extra training for a charity match.  She only showed up at the gym once.  However, there are always people, even those who are members of private boxing gyms, who seek extra training time.  There is a way that the Chicago Park District could meet that need.

All of the boxing gyms in the park district could be operated as open gyms during the day.  Just like how the park district's fitness centers are run, customers could have the option of paying for a day pass, three months membership, six months of membership, or membership for a year.  The boxing gyms could be open as soon as the field houses are open in the mornings.  Customers could be issued a pass indicating their level of membership.  However, no instruction would be given during the open gym hours; a coach would just be there to keep an eye on the equipment, the participants, and the room.  One coach could run the open gym as well as the regular classes - four hours for open gym and three or four hours for the regular classes for a full-time coach. Or have one full-time coach during the day for six hours and a part-time coach for the regular classes for three or four hours.  Both amateur and professional boxers could use the facilities. 

The regular boxing classes for youths and adults would take place once the open gym hours were done.  Those in the classes would also have the option of practicing their skills during the open gym hours.  Perhaps those in the regular classes would not have to pay for the open gym hours.  But they would have to have some documentation showing they are registered in the regular classes.

This would generate more revenue for the park district.  But the main issue is park employees would have to be watchful due to the extra foot traffic coming into the field houses.  Park employees would also have to make sure they are on top of collecting the fees for the open gym time.  The park district would also have to hire full-time boxing coaches or promote some of the current part-time boxing coaches to full-time status.  It is because of the high probability that those things would not be taken care of that my plan hits a snag. 

Nice idea, however.