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Parents ask Dunmore council for discounted Schautz Stadium rates; council offers to meet
Summary
Parents of Holy Cross and St. Mary student‑athletes urged Dunmore Borough Council to reduce rental fees at Schautz Stadium, saying fundraisers and families shoulder thousands annually. Councilors said they will meet with parents to review invoices and pursue a workable discount while explaining borough maintenance costs.
Parents of Holy Cross and St. Mary student‑athletes pressed Dunmore Borough Council on March 10 for discounted rental rates at Schautz Stadium, saying the current fees place heavy burdens on families who raise thousands each season to cover field rental costs.
"We're not asking for a free ride," said Kurt Lynott, who operates a business in Dunmore and spoke for several parents. "All we're asking for is just a little break on behalf of our kids." Lynott said Holy Cross teams do not use concessions and primarily need access to the scoreboard and bathrooms.
Jenna Urban, a Dunmore taxpayer and parent, told the council that Holy Cross and St. Mary students are part of the borough community but face charges she called "excessive." Urban cited the $425 per‑game rental figure reported by organizers and said the boys' soccer team had paid more than $3,800 this season. "That financial burden falls directly on the parent doing fundraisers," she said.
Councilors said they understood the parents' concerns but emphasized the borough bears construction and ongoing operating costs for Schautz Stadium. "We paid $3 million," Council President Janet Brier said when asked about the stadium's cost. Councilor Michael Dempsey said some discounts already are offered when teams include Dunmore residents and that he has granted ad‑hoc discounts in the past.
Dempsey described the policy language on borough flyers as imprecise: advertised free use was intended for Dunmore School District teams and Dunmore youth programs, not every team that uses the facility. He added that the borough charges fees to help cover lights, maintenance and staffing.
Council members proposed forming a small working group with Holy Cross representatives and borough staff to examine the invoices and possible options — including a more transparent discount formula, use of concessions to offset costs, or other practical arrangements. "If you come with a number that you think is reasonable, we want to work with you," Councilor William O'Malley said.
No formal fee change or vote was taken. Council asked parents to provide last season's annual totals and then said borough staff (Treasurer Mark Burton) would supply the town's rental and cost records. Councilor Thomas Hallinan suggested two or three parent representatives meet with two or three council members and staff to negotiate an amicable solution.
The discussion closed with council members reiterating a desire to cooperate while preserving the borough's ability to fund maintenance and operations. The council did not adopt any immediate subsidy; instead it committed to follow up with a smaller working session to explore a sustainable discount or offset mechanism.
