By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Increased fees for Bowling Green’s pool and park programs were approved Tuesday evening by the city’s Parks and Recreation Board – with the hopes that the new fees will more adequately support programs without being out of reach for families.
The proposed rates will next go to City Council for approval.
The Parks and Recreation Board passed the proposed fee increases unanimously, with a couple members expressing concern about the impact on lower income families.
“The pool is a very important asset of our community,” board member Emily Keegan said. “I just hope that people don’t see it as inaccessible.”
And board member Lisa Lawson noted that the 10% increase in pool rates for each of the next three years would actually add up to an accumulated 35% increase with the fees going up based on the new rates each year.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Kristin Otley said the city will continue to offer reduced rates to families in need, with a “splash fund” created specifically for that purpose.
Otley also took the opportunity to explain that the new pickleball courts to be constructed outside the community center are not being supported by the city’s parks and rec budget.
The eight courts, expected to be open in July, are being funded by the following sources:
- $150,000 raised by local pickleball players and the Parks and Rec Foundation.
- $200,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act.
- $150,000 from the state capital fund.
There will be no fee for using the outdoor courts.
Otley also pointed out that the local pickleball players plan to continue fundraising to support the upkeep of the outdoor courts. Tournaments held at the site are expected to help with those maintenance expenses.
Otley stressed that the community center has seen people of all ages playing pickleball, including parents and children in the evenings. By providing outdoor courts, the congestion will be eased in the gym during warmer months, she said.
“This will be a wonderful addition to our community,” said Parks and Rec Board President Cal Bowers.
During last month’s meeting of the board, Otley explained the reasons for the proposed pool and program hikes, including the fact that fees have remained unchanged for six years.
Meanwhile, the parks and rec department has dealt with minimum wage increases, growing expenses for materials and supplies, and mounting maintenance costs. The 13-year-old pool and waterpark is requiring more upkeep. Plus, positions previously held by volunteers (like parents coaching teams) often have to be filled now by part-time paid staff.
“Our budget is a deficit budget again,” Otley said. “It’s not a huge sounding alarm, but we can’t keep dipping into reserves.”
Otley pointed out the city parks offer a lot to local residents for no charge.
“We have a lot of things that are free,” she said, such as all the parks and the shelters when they are not in use by others. No facility rental fee increases are planned, Otley said. Stewardship programs and holiday nature crafts programs will remain at no charge.
As a public entity, the city typically subsidizes youth programs, while asking adults to cover the costs for their programs.
“We are being that good steward of tax dollars and finding that balancing act,” Otley said.
Swimming lessons are another area where affordability is considered.
“I consider that a safety issue,” she said.
But even with the proposed fee hikes, the Bowling Green program fees are lower than most in the region. Plus, the rate increases will barely move the needle in the revenue column. The proposed increases are expected to bring in an additional $6,700 this year.
“Our deficit is $500,000,” Otley said.
Kids lacking resources for program fees are given waivers for two programs each year. A city program allows families in need to get pool passes at half the cost, and a “Splash Fund” was set up a couple years ago to help with daily swim passes.
The last time pool rates were increased was 2023, when only the fees for non-residents were raised.
The fees for season passes and daily admission are suggested to increase by 10% a year for the next three years.
That means for a family pass, the cost will go from $155 last year to $170.50 this summer. A family pass for non-residents will jump from $191 last year to $210 this year.
A daily pass for city residents will go from $6 for adults to $6.60; K-12 graders from $5.50 to $6; and children 6 and under from $3.75 to $4.25. For non-residents the rates this summer could go to $8.80 for adults, $8 for youth, and $6 for children.
According to graphs presented at January’s board meeting, inflation increased 50% between 2005 and 2025. Expenses increased 56% more than revenue at the pool. And minimum wage – which is the rate for much of the summer pool help – has gone up from $4.25 to $10.70 an hour during that same period.
Even with the proposed rate increase, Bowling Green’s season passes and daily admission costs are lower than the fees at other city pools, such as Perrysburg, Maumee, and others throughout the state.
Following are some examples of the proposed program rate increases for this year.
Youth sports fees:
- After school sports programs (six weeks) – $34 upped to $42 for city residents; $43 to $51 for non-residents.
- Youth volleyball, basketball and softball – $53 to $58 for residents; $62 to $67 for non-residents.
- Competitive youth basketball leagues – $160 to $180 for residents; $169 to $189 for non-residents.
Youth camp fees:
- Recreation day camps (five days for four hours each day) – $63 to $68 for residents; $72 to $77 for non-residents.
- Girl Power Tween Camp – $58 to $63 for residents; $67 to $72 for non-residents.
- Safety Town – $47 to $52 for residents; $57 to $61 for non-residents.
Adult sport program fees:
- Volleyball league – $134-$182 raised to $180-$200 per team.
- Basketball league – $155 raised to $180-$200 per team.
- Sand volleyball – $180 raised to $180-$200 per team.
Natural resource program fees:
- Adult nature programs and workshops – $6-$41 raised to $10-$50 for residents; $9-$52 raised to $15-$60 for non-residents.
- Gardening workshop/conferences – $13-$22 raised to $15-$25 for residents; $17-$25 raised to $24-$35 for non-residents.
- Nature camps (five days) – $53 to $60 for residents; $62 to $69 for non-residents.
- Ecology or Wilderness Explorers Camp – $63 to $70 for residents; $72 to $79 for non-residents.
