With 43 pairs of new Solomon skis, brand new top-of-the-line mountaineering boots and 250 pairs of ski boots and four splitboard snowboards on the way, the Outdoor Rental Center is feeling a swelling pride in its equipment again. “It is exciting to have all of this new equipment because we still have a lot of new stuff and you can totally see a difference in the new gear, it is stuff that people want to see and use,” said Elyza Cambell, a student and employee at the rental center.
All of the new equipment that the rental center has received was made possible by an increase in funding from ASUI.
In the last year the outdoor program has received a $16,000 one-time grant as well as an increase in the per-student stipend.
During this last year’s ASUI budget meeting, a vote approved to give the program an increase of $1 per student, raising the total to $1.50 per student.
When the outdoor program was created 40 years ago the program was 100 percent self-sufficient. It relied completely on the profit it generated by renting out equipment to students and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and hosting outdoor recreation trips, said Mike Beiser, Outdoor Program Coordinator.
The Outdoor Program remained that way for 37 years but Beiser said as the economy started to suffer so did its revenue stream.
“For example, one of our biggest yearly clients was a Boy Scout troop that would rent $15,000 worth of rafts. But as the economy started to suffer the yearly trip started to dwindle until eventually the trip was no longer happening at all,” Beiser said.
Beiser said that three years ago, ASUI asked the outdoor program if there was anything they needed.
Steve Mims, the outdoor program assistant coordinator in charge of rentals, brought its case in front of ASUI and received a $.50 per student stipend to help with the replacement and upkeep of gear.
“We were never looking for a hand out from anybody but we did need the help in keeping up with our gear as well as paying our full time and student staff members,” Beiser said.
Sustainability has always been a forefront goal of the rental center.
Even though an increase in funding from ASUI has given the outdoor program an increase in funding to allow the program to grow and maintain its equipment, Beiser said that 60-70 percent of the income still comes from rentals, trips and maintenance.
The new equipment was a matter of safety, as well. Some of the gear such as the old Solomon skis they stocked had a limited liability warranty.
While they were able to continue business before the increase in per-student funding, the members of the outdoor programs staff as well as the customers noticed the old age of the gear.
“And while most people will accept older gear from a rental place it is nice knowing that we can now be able to provide gear to our customers that they would be proud to own,” said Beiser.
Curtis Ginnetti can be reached at [email protected]