By HOLLY GASKILL
As August came to a close, Parks Department Superintendent Brandy Fiechter told members of the department’s board that she was already receiving inquiries for January 2023 pavilion rentals.
Fiechter proposed the board consider an increase in the rental rate to offset their anticipated inflation for expenses next year. The board agreed an increase was needed, but didn’t want to deter renters and wanted to stay competitive with neighboring areas.
Consequently, the board agreed to an increase of $10 for weekend rentals of the Washington Park pavilion in 2023. Fiechter said they receive far fewer weekday rentals, and that it was not necessary to change those rates.
For four hours or less, the amounts will be $130 for the inside pavilion, $40 for the outside area and $150 for both. For more than four hours, it will cost $155 for the inside pavilion, $55 for the outside area and $190 for both. These rates do not include taxes or a safety deposit.
Barry Crosbie also spoke with the board to receive approval to use the City Gym for the basketball leagues. In an area of oversight, the six boys’ leagues had previously not paid a fee to use the gym. The full fee would total $600.
Because this would be an unanticipated cost for the leagues, the board agreed to allow half payment this year, totaling $300. Crosbie said they would have no problem garnering sponsorship to cover the full fee for next year.
In her reports, Fiechter gave the participation in August’s various events — notably, a total of 876 attendees for the “Sail On” Beach Boys tribute.
Additionally, Fiechter said the city pool was able to cut some of its operating cost this year, leading to a loss of $34,000. Compared to last year, this was a savings of $21,800. Outside of the cost of a new ice machine, concessions brought in $3,933.
“Tightening our belts and doing this smart and the extra increases … that all helped,” Fiechter said. “We closed the gap of how much the pool is costing us.”
A rough total showed 11,111 total pool-goers for the year, just over 1,200 more than last year.
Other notes were:
• In a 3-1 vote, the board approved the inclusion of alcohol in a Parks Department event at the pavilion. The “bites and flights” event is planned to be a date night social gathering with charcuterie meats and cheeses and bartending. Members Rick McEvoy, Christine Zadylak and John Gerber voted in favor; Susan Campbell dissented.
• Fiechter said she has submitted proposals for four grants and hopes to continue to bring in funding for new projects. She also attended a workshop on invasive species and hopes to incorporate some of her findings into their efforts to preserve the Rivergreenway.
• The Rivergreenway bear sculpture has been repaired and will be returned soon.
• The board celebrated the success of events this summer, the overall improvement of the parks, and several News-Banner Reader’s Choice Awards.
holly@news-banner.com
