Escalon council to solicit community input after debate over community center fees and low weekend use

Councilmember Stroman opened an administrative discussion asking whether the Escalon Community Center is being used optimally, noting that it was rented 15–17 times out of 52 available weekend slots last year. "I feel like we're hurting our residents, especially when it comes to programs that involve our youth," Stroman said, and asked whether rates or other barriers explain low weekend bookings.

Members raised several possible drivers: rental rates and large upfront deposits (one example cited a $850 deposit), scarcity of volunteers to run big fundraisers, parking conflicts when sporting events use nearby fields, and marketing/visibility of facility availability. Councilmember Engel and others suggested that venue costs are comparable in the region and that wear‑and‑tear and HVAC/kitchen costs impose real marginal costs if usage increased.

Council agreed on a set of follow‑up steps: post online outreach to solicit community feedback on barriers to renting the center (an online poll/social media outreach), ask staff to benchmark neighboring cities' rates and practices, explore partnerships with nonprofits or event planners (including potential profit‑share or planner partnerships), and have economic development staff prepare ideas and options for council consideration. A resident suggested contacting Escalon High School to inquire why prom is held outside town and whether the center could host such events.

Council did not adopt a rate change at the meeting but reached consensus to have staff return with data and proposals. The council also discussed making case‑by‑case exceptions for community‑benefit events such as memorial dinners and possible payment plans for extraordinary hardship situations.