Marshall‑White Community Center fee schedule and near‑term budget amendment reviewed; staff proposes memberships, rental and admission rates

City recreation staff presented a proposed fee schedule and a short‑term budget amendment tied to the upcoming opening of the Marshall‑White Community Center. The proposed schedule establishes resident and nonresident rental rates for pools, gymnasium, turf fields, meeting rooms and pickleball courts; daily admission and annual and monthly membership fees; reduced‑fee eligibility; and after‑hours surcharges.

Justin (city recreation staff) explained the rental fees and operating vs. after‑hours rates and said the facility includes two full basketball courts (rentable as full or half), an expanded pool area with a children’s play structure, three indoor pickleball courts (one to remain available for members), indoor turf and an outdoor field. Whitney Ward, operations analyst with VCBO (city’s architect), participated online and contributed to the operations analysis cited by staff.

Key fee and program details presented by staff included a $10 adult daily admission (no resident/nonresident distinction for daily passes), annual family membership proposed at $600 (resident) and nonresident increases set at roughly +30%. Staff also listed program prices such as group swim lessons and private lessons ($40 per session for group lessons; $20 per 30‑minute private lesson cited). Staff described a reduced‑fee application similar to other local providers (proof of income or program enrollment, approved annually) and said the city’s new software will track eligibility and member records.

On facilities and site controls, staff described a fencing plan for the outdoor field and playgrounds: a mix of black vinyl chain link along the northern edge and wrought‑iron fencing and gated access points on the northeast and south corners to allow controlled public access and to secure sites during evening hours. Staff said gates would be opened for general park use but could be locked when evening rentals or programs require controlled access.

On the budget amendment, city finance staff said the near‑term request covers approximately two months of revenues and expenses related to opening. The transmittal presented a net increase in the current fiscal year budget of $161,000 in anticipated revenues and $161,000 in corresponding expenditures to provide staffing and operations before the fiscal‑year 2026 budget is adopted. Staff noted those figures were derived from the operations analysis by VCBO and that a fuller annual budget will be proposed in the FY26 budget cycle.

Council members asked operational questions: how rental deposits and cleanup fees will be handled; how spectator fees or event admissions will affect rental costs; how peak‑use times will be managed to protect the quality of member experience; and which corporate or employee discount contracts staff might authorize. Staff said rental deposits will be required, a cleanup fee structure will apply, spectator surcharges will add 30–50% to rental rates depending on whether admissions are charged, and staff will return with guardrails for corporate or bulk‑purchase rates.

Why this matters: the center will be a major new municipal facility with ongoing operating costs and public‑access implications. Fee levels, membership structure and access rules will shape how residents use the facility, who can afford membership, and how the center’s operations are funded.

What’s next: staff will bring fee ordinances and the proposed fiscal‑year 2024–25 budget amendment forward for formal council action (dates set during the meeting); the city will publish reduced‑fee procedures and staff will monitor early usage to recommend adjustments in the FY26 budget process if necessary.