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Commission defers proposal to raise Bethel Gibson trainer fees after pushback from local trainers
Summary
Parks staff recommended raising the annual personal‑trainer permit from $600/year to $300/month (equivalent to $3,600/year) and cutting allowable trainers at the Gibson from eight to four; trainers and some commissioners urged smaller, phased increases or usage‑based fees. The Commission deferred the item for budget season review.
Parks Director (introduced as Poe) told the Commission that a benchmarking analysis supported increasing the fitness‑trainer permit fee at the Bethel Gibson Community Center from $600 annually to $300 per month, which staff estimated could generate up to about $14,400 in annual revenue. Staff also proposed lowering the maximum number of trainers authorized to operate at the site.
Several trainers and gym users testified that the facility is not at capacity and that an abrupt 600% increase—effectively $3,600 per year—would disrupt small trainer businesses that plan around current fees. Trainer Richard Phillips said the gym is often "empty" outside peak hours and that many trainers bring neighborhood clients and families. Trainer Steve described growth in participation but said he had not observed overcrowding.
Commissioners debated alternate approaches: phased increases, a lower $150/month suggestion, sliding scales tied to usage or time‑of‑day limitations on group sessions, and possibly a resident/nonresident differential. Vice Mayor Corey and others urged a holistic review of parks and facility fees and recommended exploring differential rates for residents and nonresidents across facilities.
Given the number of operational questions and the potential impact on small business operators, the Commission voted to defer the proposed fee change indefinitely and consider it as part of the upcoming budget process. Staff was asked to return a comprehensive fee matrix (gym, tennis, pickleball, resident/nonresident rates), usage and revenue analysis, and phased options.
