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Casper staff propose higher park rental rates, citing $1.5M band shell upgrade and $19,000 projected revenue gain
Summary
Parks staff presented proposed increases to city park facility rental rates to reflect recent and planned investments — including $1.5 million toward the Washington Park bandshell — and estimated an extra $19,000 in annual revenue from about 650 reservations per year.
City parks staff told the City Council they plan to recommend a resolution raising rental rates for several City of Casper park facilities, citing infrastructure investments, inflation and rising maintenance costs.
A parks staff presenter said city park facilities remain available for free on a first‑come, first‑served basis, but reservations guarantee exclusive use and are the focus of the proposed rate changes. The memo attached to the work session noted the last rate change was adopted by resolution in 2019.
Staff said the city has invested or plans to invest in new amenities that will affect demand: Washington Park will receive new pickleball and tennis courts and a planned $1,500,000 investment in the Washington Park bandshell funded in part by a special sales and use tax. Parks staff estimated about 650 reservations across park facilities per year and projected the proposed rate changes would increase annual reservation revenue by roughly $19,000.
Council members discussed the proposal’s effects on frequent users and community groups. Parks manager Randy Norbell (present at the meeting) and staff said most shelter reservations are one‑time events rather than regular weekly uses; recurring users such as the municipal band would be exempted or continue to receive free or subsidized access as appropriate. Councilors asked staff to do more outreach to historically frequent users of the bandshell, including Politics in the Park organizers, to ensure rate changes would not discourage longstanding events.
Councilors also discussed security deposits and the mechanics for recurring reservations. Staff said current deposits have sometimes been insufficient to cover damages and proposed increasing the deposit amount; staff said refundable deposits would still be returned when users cared for the property. A councilor asked staff to return with additional user‑group outreach before finalizing rates for the bandshell; staff said the bandshell rate change would not take effect until after facility reconstruction is complete.
No formal vote occurred; staff said they would prepare a resolution for a future regular business meeting if council supports the concept. Council expressed general comfort with the proposed direction, with some members asking for additional outreach and the ability to adjust specific fees before a formal vote.
