In this customer spotlight, Jason Boothe, the CEO of the Family YMCA of Lancaster & Fairfield County, details the beneficial partnership between his Y and Future Energy Solutions.
Why did you decide to partner with Future Energy Solutions (FES)?
JB: We needed to upgrade our lights, but didn’t have the funds to pay for them ourselves. I began looking for funding mechanisms to help us, such as grants. During the search, I found FES and reached out to learn more. After lots of questions, research and reference checks, we decided it was the best way for us to fill a big need in our facilities without the large capital expense. Yes, it’s a commitment for a long period of time, but we would have a similar commitment either way. For a small YMCA like ours, it made the most sense financially to spread the financial demand out. We’re spending less than we were per month before the lights.
What are the benefits to your business as a result of this partnership?
JB: There are several big benefits. First, we’re saving money each month compared to what we were paying in utilities before the new lights. Second, we’re enjoying the new lights without the capital outlay. After they were installed, a member even commented, “Wow, when did you paint?” We didn’t paint — the lights are just brighter. Third, the lights are warranted for the entire length of the agreement, meaning no more purchasing light bulbs or fixtures and using staff time to change out fixtures and bulbs. When a new fixture has an issue, we report it and they handle it. Getting to high lights for us was getting very expensive and challenging with our limited staff. This solves that for us.
What are the benefits to your members as a result of this partnership?
JB: Our facility is much more welcoming and inviting. As an older center that still needs some renovations, this is a great first step to providing a quality space for members. It also lets us budget accordingly and confidently, allowing us to better serve the membership.
Have you been pleasantly surprised by working with FES in any way?
JB: Yes, they’re very responsive and easy to work with. We’ve had a few instances of lights from the initial install not working for whatever reason, and they’ve been all over each case, addressing issues right away.
What else can you tell other rec center professionals about the benefits of working with FES?
JB: There isn’t a catch. Initially, I assumed there would be. Facilities like ours have the lights on at the same times each day, so we can very accurately determine our energy costs for just the lights. For a small operation like ours with limited capital funds and a long list of capital needs, partnering with FES was a win-win for us. We win financially — saving money each month — and we get the new lights. Our members win with a better facility.
