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Euclid Recreation Commission approves ice‑arena, ballfield and soccer rental fee increases
Summary
On May 6 the commission approved fee changes proposed by the recreation department: ice‑arena hourly rental raised to $200 for 2025–26 (and proposed $210 for 2026–27), increased ballfield practice and game fees, and a $20 fee for occasional outside soccer/field rentals. The commission approved the proposals by show of hands.
Program administrator Hannah (ice arena manager) proposed fee changes at the May 6 meeting, saying the department had not raised ice‑arena rental rates since the 2018–19 season and that rising operating and capital costs require an increase.
Hannah proposed increasing the ice‑arena hourly rental from the current $180 to $200 for the 2025–26 season and to $210 for the 2026–27 season. She cited several capital and maintenance costs since 2019, including replacement of chillers, installation of a new furnace and dehumidifier, boiler repairs and the need for future replacement of door frames, sound baffling and other building systems. “We have not raised our prices since the 2018–2019 season,” Hannah said; the proposal aims to narrow the gap between operating costs and revenue while keeping rates competitive in the region.
Director Stevens explained that the ice arena’s utilities and contracted services make it expensive to operate, noting annual utilities can approach $200,000 and that the chilling tower contract is roughly $18,000 per year. He said the arena often runs at close to break‑even and that increased rates help fund capital maintenance and staffing needs.
The commission voted by show of hands to approve the ice‑arena rate change. A motion to adopt the schedule as presented passed without recorded opposition.
Hannah also proposed reworded and updated fees for memorial park baseball/softball fields: practice time fees were increased (example: practice up to three hours from $10 to $20) and game/tournament pricing revised to reflect additional maintenance and staffing needs for longer events. Commissioners discussed enforcement of parking rules for outside renters and were advised that field use agreements require compliance and the police non‑emergency line can be used to report illegal parking.
Finally, the commission approved a new $20 fee for occasional outside soccer/field rentals (up to three hours) to allow the department to charge outside groups when space is available; Euclid Youth Soccer Organization (EYSO) continues to receive reduced or no fees in exchange for cost‑sharing paint for field markings.
Why it matters: the votes increase user fees to help cover rising utility and maintenance costs for aging facilities and to create a clearer fee structure for outside users. The department said the increases still leave Euclid’s rates competitive in the region.
What’s next: commissioners approved the changes at the meeting; staff indicated the rates will be posted and incorporated into scheduling and billing for the next seasons.
