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White Plains Recreation and Parks proposes modest fee increases effective March 1, 2025
Summary
Commissioner Bass presented a proposed fee schedule for recreation services, citing rising participation and staff wage increases; changes include small increases to field permits, ice‑skating services, summer camp fees and swim instruction. Council members praised staff for balancing affordability and program quality.
White Plains Recreation and Parks presented a proposed fee schedule Jan. 27 that would take effect March 1, 2025, including modest increases intended to cover rising costs while keeping programs affordable.
Why it matters: The department said participation levels are rebounding post‑COVID and that fee changes reflect higher staffing costs, program demand and added services such as transportation and trips for summer camps. The council’s recreation advisory committee reviewed the proposals and supported the adjustments.
Commissioner Bass (referred to in the meeting as Becky Bass) reviewed the highlights: youth field permit fees would increase from $50 to $60 for primary fields and secondary field fees would increase from $40 to $50; skate rental and sharpening fees would rise modestly (skate rental $5 to $6; sharpening $10 to $12); hourly rink rental rates would increase slightly; Camp Chickadee, Camp Koropis and Camp Panawak fees would increase (examples cited as $130.00 to $137.50 and other tiered adjustments); and swim lesson fees would move from $115 to $120. She said many of the affected programs are popular and often sell out.
Bass said the department intends to maintain program value: summer camp fees include transportation and meals, and scholarships remain available. Council members thanked the department for keeping programs affordable while addressing rising labor and operational costs.
The council did not take a formal vote at the Jan. 27 work session; the item was presented for review and the council discussed clarifying details such as nonresident fees and the elimination of an underused $55 nonresident senior fee.
