SALEM Fees for center revealed

Memberships are expected to become available in the spring.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Saying their goal was to create an affordable fee scale, Salem Community Center officials unveiled how much it will cost to join the facility, which is still under construction.
Memberships to the private, nonprofit facility will range from $27 monthly for people 16 to 60 to $22 monthly for those younger than 16.
People 60 or older with a Golden Buckeye card may belong to the facility for $25 monthly. Full-time college students will pay $24 per month.
Once one family member has joined at the full rate, other members may join the center at reduced rates of $6 per month or less.
More information on fees is available at the community center's Web site, www.salemcommunitycenter.com.
Inclusive: "We have a fee schedule that should meet the needs of everybody," John Tonti, Salem Community Center president, said when the fees were announced Wednesday.
Center officials say they also want to create a program that will provide free or reduced-cost memberships to the needy.
Paid memberships to the center are expected to become available in the spring, said Eric Green, center director.
Now that a fee schedule has been announced, center officials say they hope to get a better idea of how many people will want to join the facility.
The 50,000-square-foot center, off North Ellsworth Avenue, is designed to accommodate more than 2,000 people. It's expected to open in fall 2002.
Costs: Center officials say they hope membership fees will generate 50 percent to 80 percent of the cost of the facility's operation.
The remainder of operating funds and money for capital improvements is expected to come from endowments, contributions and through renting the facility for events.
An estimate of the center's annual operating cost has yet to be formulated.
The $9.5 million, two-story facility is being built through a donation from the Salem Community Foundation, a locally based charitable organization.
When the facility is finished, it will include a gymnasium, swimming pool, fitness room, running track, teen and community lounges, meeting rooms and an arts and crafts area.
leigh@vindy.com