By ANDREA POTEET
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Enrollment fees for several city recreation programs are set to increase this season.
The increases, passed at an Oct. 1 City Council meeting, are designed to help the department cover costs of the programs due to rising material costs and other expenses.
Slo-pitch softball enrollment rates will rise $25 per team, with the co-ed team costing $285. The rising rates cover the expenses of materials and awards, Recreation Department Administrative Trainee Justin Lanagan said.
Councilman Leonard Sabuda raised concerns that the rising prices may scare potential players off of the already-dwindling teams.
“We had a tremendous amount of teams years back and it seems its just withered away,” Sabuda said. “I’d like to see baseball come back into town, We’ve got some nice fields, maybe we can encourage people to come in by adjusting the fees.”
Lanagan said the increases are necessary for the financial health of the department.
“We’re not overpricing, we’re not underpricing, we’re right where we need to be,” he said.
Councilors asked the department to review prices and enrollment numbers for softball programs in neighboring cities.
Other raise increases include Yack Arena ice time, which will jump to $220 from $215, pre and post-season golf rates, which will increase from $5 to $8, and Yack Arena rental fees, which will rise from $1,250 to $1,300.