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After public outcry, Ventnor sets pickleball fee at $120 for players, $100 for seniors (age 65)
Summary
Following extensive public comment, the commission amended and approved Resolution 167 to set an adult seasonal pickleball membership at $120 and a senior rate of $100 (age 65), contingent on reservation-system capability; recreation-board members said they will help implement equitable reservation access.
After substantial public comment from players and community volunteers, the Ventnor City Commission on May 28 amended and approved Resolution 167 to set seasonal fees for the renovated pickleball courts at $120 for general players and $100 for seniors age 65 and older, contingent on the court-reservation system’s ability to recognize senior status.
The debate began in workshop discussion where commissioners and rec-board members reviewed operating costs. Recreation-board president Diane Burkeback told the commission the board initially recommended a $200 annual fee and later settled on $150 after reviewing program costs, staffing, maintenance, insurance and debt service tied to the $1 million court renovation. Board figures presented on the record estimated current membership revenue at roughly $56,000 and hourly court fees at about $38,000, compared to annual program costs near $122,000.
Multiple players and community leaders urged a lower fee or discounts for residents and seniors, and described volunteer hours, donated benches and other contributions from the pickleball community. Pat Harrian, who said she helped organize the local pickleball program since 2016, asked commissioners to consider resident and non-resident tiers or a lower flat fee to reflect the community’s volunteer work.
In response, commissioners proposed a compromise. The record shows the commission agreed to amend the draft resolution and vote in the regular meeting to set player fees at $120 and retain a senior rate at $100 for those age 65 and older, subject to the court-reserve software’s ability to apply the discount. The mayor noted the city will ask the rec department and reservation vendor to confirm capability before fees are implemented and requested legal review of any proposal to adopt a property-owner vs. non-property-owner (resident vs. nonresident) tier.
What happens next: the commission adopted the amended Resolution 167 by roll call (two votes in favor, one opposed). Staff will confirm court-reserve technical capability, finalize senior-age definitions and publish registration and reservation details; the commission expects court-reserve to open to the public in stages and to allow play by Saturday following the meeting, with reservations active as soon as the system is live.
Sources: Workshop discussion, public comments and roll-call votes from the May 28 Ventnor City Commission meeting.
