Launch of public sports club in 2013…turn to surplus in 2021
Steadily increasing from 365 members in 2017 to 525 in 2023
Gwangju Bitgoeul Sports Club is standing tall as an excellent example of a self-sustaining sports club. Provided by Gwangju Bitgoeul Sports Club.
Gwangju Bitgoeul Sports Club is standing tall as an excellent example of a self-sustaining sports club.
According to the Gwangju City Sports Council and Bitgoeul Sports Club on the 4th, Bitgoeul Sports Club, which was launched as the first public sports club in 2013, has turned profitable since 2021 and is establishing itself as a self-sustaining club.
Bitgoeul Sports Club’s turnaround is analyzed to be the result of an increase in membership due to steady program development and expansion of various public offering projects.
This club had over 500 members between 2013 and 2015 when it was operated through a public sports club competition project, but the number of members decreased to 228 in 2016 when it was operated independently. This was due to a decline in stocks due to the burden of labor costs for leaders.
This club worked hard on various public offering projects to secure self-sustainability. It entered the school sports facility opening support project contest in 2016 and has been selected for 9 consecutive years until this year, increasing the participation rate of local residents in daily sports. This year, a total project cost of 36 million won will be secured and classes will be conducted for local residents in two sports, including badminton and soccer.
Since 2018, it has been selected for the Korea Sports Council’s professional player support project contest and has been operating a program to foster professional players in basketball, badminton, and table tennis.
Starting in 2022, it has been selected for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s ‘Designated Sports Club Contest Project’ and is operating specialized programs in children’s basketball and table tennis and badminton for vulnerable groups.
In 2023, it was selected for the Gwangju City Youth Development Support Project to run tennis, and this year, a former soccer player leader was recruited to switch to soccer (elementary school).
We also worked to improve comfortable sports activity services by improving facilities. Last year, with support from Gwangju City and the Gwangju City Sports Association, we are providing a comfortable environment for members by expanding the second floor of the Dongnim-dong Multipurpose Gymnasium, which is being operated on consignment, installing a ceiling-type basketball hoop, and replacing the air conditioner.
As a result of this expansion of the contest and modernization of facilities, the number of members of Bitgoeul Sports Club increased to 365 in 2017, 392 in 2018, 427 in 2019, 302 in 2020, 357 in 2021, 460 in 2022, and 2023. The number increased every year, including 525 people.
As the number of members increased, membership fee income increased, turning into a surplus starting in 2022, and also contributed to job creation by increasing the hiring of leaders due to the opening of sports.
Lee Yong-gyu, chairman of the Bitgoeul Sports Club, said, “We will diversify the profit structure that has so far relied on subsidies and develop programs so that many local residents can use them to make the club a profit-generating club.”
Reporter Jaehyuk Lee [email protected]
2024-03-04 07:19:12
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