Membership fees

[misty]

I live on an equestrian estate and am trying to run the arena committee. We have outside people who live nearby, but not on the estate, who want to join our "club" in order to use our excellent facilities.
What we have at this stage:
The 2 best dressage arenas in WC
A round warm-up / jumping arena
A fair amount of space for hacking in safe surrounds
A dam for fun

What we need:
Public toilets
A clubhouse
Cross country course
Extra warm-up area/ jumping arena
Trec course
Driving course
Equipment for jumping

We have plenty of space for the above, but need funds to get going as we have nothing. I already run very successful graded dressage shows, but they do not make money, so membership fees would help us to develop tremendously, but now for the big question - what does one charge?
We would basically be looking at:
A fee for Livery horses on the estate (probably R50/month)
A membership fee for non-livery clients ? (annual fee)
A fee for instructors using the facilities? (annual fee)
A fee for their pupils??? (per lesson???/month/annual???)
Family membership?

Anyone who has ideas and amounts or any other advice - please.....

[Rhythm]

We have a place in Tokai with amazing facilities. It has a grass jumping area, a sand jumping arena, 2 rubber chip dressage arena's and a lunging arena. They charge i think R300 ish a year for membership.

[anine]

i dont think you should be charging livery horses on the estate anything to use the facilities.

outside instructors are usually charged a levy per lesson, which they usually add onto their lessons. so the pupil and instructor do not both pay.
so 'a lesson' is charged a levy, not the instructor and pupil both.

[Macluke]

umm well I pay R90 per month to use a dressage arena and can use jumping arena when it's not in use but that's only weekends or week mornings. Oh and I can't use dressage arena if there is a lesson being taught.

[misty]

Anine they are private liveries - dont pay anything to the estate so we have to charge - of course the YO can always pay for them if they want to out of what they charge, but as our gates, roads and facilities are being used and need maintaining - it must be paid for.

My actual problem of charging per lesson is that there is no one keeping count - the arenas are out there and no one sits at them all day - so a monthly/ annual fee is easiest.

[giddyup]

I agree with an annual fee. Liveries on the estate should enjoy a lower fee to outside members.

I know Inanada Country Base in JHB charge R70 for outside non-members to use their facilities, not sure of their annual membership fee.

I am sure once your facilities improve you will find more members will join and so more improvements can be made.

[M-E]

sent you a PM

[qse]

I think what you are talking about is a grounds levy? this is normally charged per use. If you want to do monthly or annual. you have to work out how many "uses" that entitles the person to, i.e. one session per day in one of the facilities... or limitless access to all facilities per day?

[Rhythm]

Misty i have just had a chat to a friend of mine that has a similar set up in Cape Town as you. She says that they (liveries on the property) pay R500 per year for usage of the facilities and upkeep. Of which they are more than happy to pay as they love to keep the standered of the riding facilities. Outsiders Pay R800 per month for use of the facilites. Outside instructors wishing to teach outside non members pay R30 per 45min session or pay an annual fee of R400 and can use the arena on a set number of days. With shows they dont charge members but they charge a ground levy of R50 for shows.
Hope this helps

[misty]

tx Magic - sure does help a lot. I have wacked you and Toddy with my fairy wand for luck in return!!LOL.
QSE not really, we do charge a ground levy for shows - this is actually a club membership to entitle them to use the facilities for lessons, practicing and fun.