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Board approves modest Parks & Recreation fee increases and supports a local youth football league
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Summary
Parks and Recreation Director Aiken outlined facility upgrades, a new youth-football league plan, and a modest pool and pass fee increase to cover specialized chemicals and lifeguard wages; the board approved the fee schedule and rental rules.
Parks and Recreation Director Aiken updated the McDowell County Board of Commissioners on facility improvements and proposed fee changes at the April 13 meeting.
Aiken said Maple Leaf Playground received a fully ADA-accessible vault toilet and landscaping through grant funding, Hemphill Park’s entrance and parking were improved, and field drainage work had been completed. He reported Black Bear Campground revenue was up 22 percent year to date compared with 2025 and that the county’s shooting range had served more than 1,000 patrons as of April 1. Aiken said the county’s Babe Ruth baseball program includes 72 teams and 857 participants this season.
On programming, Aiken proposed forming a local youth-football league (age-based 8U/10U/12U divisions) to increase home-game opportunities and local control over rules and scheduling.
On fees, Aiken proposed modest increases: adult pool admission up $1 to $14, student up $1, and small increases to senior and child rates to help cover specialized pool chemicals and competitive lifeguard wages. He also proposed raising the family pass and some rental fees (family pass up $25). The board moved, seconded (motion by Speaker 3; second by Speaker 2 in the record), and approved the fee schedule and rental adjustments as presented.
Provenance: Presentation and Q&A SEG 582–904; motion and vote SEG 905–959.
