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Community groups warn proposed parks fees would price out horse shows and volunteer events
Summary
Blue Lake residents and volunteer equestrian groups told the Parks & Recreation Commission that a draft fee schedule’s steep new charges for arena rental, grass parking and event fees would make local shows and nonprofit events financially unsustainable.
The Parks & Recreation Commission heard sustained public opposition to a draft fee schedule that proposes large increases for facility rentals, parking and special-event charges.
"These fees for the arena are just astronomically ridiculous," said Dana Rabinius, treasurer for the Blue Lake Saddle Club and CSHA, during public comment. Rabinius said small local clubs typically break even at best and that higher rates would effectively prevent clubs from operating. Julie Thinham, a mounted-archery group leader who runs small arena events, said a one-day event that previously cost about $50 would jump to roughly $400 under the new proposal.
Commissioners and staff framed the fee review as an attempt to reduce a budgetary shortfall in parks and recreation. Council liaison (speaker 8) said the city must consider revenue-generation because parks programs have accumulated deficit spending. "We never want to raise fees, but we need to look at how we can continue to support the park and rec employees, their insurance, [and] the maintenance of the sites," the liaison said.
Speakers from volunteer groups urged a different approach: targeted, tiered fees or exemptions for nonprofit organizers who maintain sites. Several commenters pointed to missing amenities—such as a permanent restroom at the horse arena and cracked tennis courts—to argue that high rental prices would be inappropriate while facilities need maintenance. Commissioners agreed to form an ad hoc to document facility conditions and return recommendations to the council.
Next steps: the commission agreed to revisit the draft fee schedule after community input, consider nonprofit discounts or tiered triggers for event fees, and form an assessment ad hoc to inventory facility conditions and identify priorities for deferred maintenance.
