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Staunton council hears Parks & Recreation fee updates; keeps summer camp resident rate at $100
Summary
Councilors discussed a recommended update to Parks & Recreation fees, including rental rates, pool passes and a proposed summer camp price increase. Council reached consensus to keep the city-resident Camp Stanton rate at $100 and pursue a nonresident increase; other fee changes will be considered during the budget process.
City staff presented a package of proposed Parks & Recreation fee changes at the Jan. 9 work session, asking council to consider updated rental rates for facilities and fields, new resident/nonresident pricing and changes to pool and summer-camp fees as part of cost-recovery adjustments.
Chris Tuttle, director of Parks & Recreation, said many fees had not changed in 20 years and staff compared local market rates. The proposal would introduce resident and nonresident tiers and a four-hour rental option for bandstand and facilities; examples included a proposed four-hour resident bandstand rate of $50 and an all‑day resident rate of $100, increased garden-center and Montgomery Hall rental amounts, and higher hourly rates for gym rentals.
Tuttle proposed raising Gypsy Hill pool daily admission from $3 to $4, introducing a 20‑punch pass and family season memberships that would cover both Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall pools. For Camp Stanton, staff recommended increasing the resident weekly rate from $100 to $125 (prepaid discount for all 8 weeks was proposed); staff also proposed an earlier registration window for residents and a higher nonresident rate.
Councilors focused most discussion on Camp Stanton. Vice Mayor Arrowood and Councilor Campbell objected to increasing the resident camp fee, noting the program is one of the few affordable childcare options and that city taxpayers subsidize it. Council members also expressed interest in reserving early sign-up for residents and monitoring the nonresident share of registrations; staff said historical camp capacity has been 100 participants per week (about 70 at Gypsy Hill Gym and 30 at the Garden Center) and that staffing limits and facility space constrain expansion without additional budget resources.
After discussion Councilors gave staff direction to proceed with the camp fee proposal but to hold resident weekly camp pricing at $100 and pursue a nonresident increase. Council agreed to defer final decisions on the other fee changes to the FY2026 budget process and asked staff to return with details and options for expanding camp capacity if council wishes to fund additional slots.
Tuttle and staff said any new rates would take effect July 1 if adopted and that staff would honor existing reservations made under current rates.
