Park commission raises rental rates by 5 percent

One way the board can control revenues is through rentals, the chairman said.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Boardman Township Park District commissioners voted unanimously Monday to raise the reservable facility fee schedule by 5 percent, effective Jan. 1.
Bob Johnson, board chairman, said the purpose of a reservation fee is to subsidize the operating budget. If the board didn't adjust the rates for both residents and nonresidents now, the increase in later years would be substantial, he said.
"One way we can control revenues is through rentals," Johnson said. "We have not increased residents' rates in over two years."
Johnson said if a person or group had already made reservations for the 2007 season, their rates will not increase. The actual rate increase will not completely take effect until 2008, he said.
For a resident to reserve the Georgeanna A. Parker Activity Center for up to five hours, the rate changed from 55 to 57.75. A nonresident will now pay 105 instead of 100.
For a resident to reserve the Boardman Community Center, the charge will be 157.50 instead of 150. A nonresident will now pay 262.50 instead of 250.
The fee to use outdoor facilities, including the gazebo and the Thomas C. Masters Pavilion, was also raised by 5 percent. Residents will now pay 73.50 instead of 70 to use the gazebo for three hours. Nonresidents will be charged 115.50 instead of 110.
Masters Pavilion went from 50 to 52.50 for residents and from 85 to 89.25 for nonresidents.
Previous actions
Last year, the board slightly adjusted the rates for nonresidents, and in 2004, no adjustments were made, Johnson said. Rates for nonprofit organizations were not adjusted, he said.
"If we adjust the rates for residents, we definitely have to adjust the rates for nonresidents," Johnson said. "We need to take care of the taxpayers of our community that fund this park."
Patrons will also be able to rent the new boccie court for 15 if they have reserved a facility, he said. If the court is not reserved, the public is welcome to use it at their convenience, Johnson said.
The township park district usually generates between 130,000 and 135,000 a year through reservations.
For more information on reservation rate increases, check the park's Web site at www.boardmanpark.com.
spoulton@vindy.com