Council adopts recreation center fee overhaul, makes youth access free; scholarship program planned

The Longview City Council on Feb. 13 approved a resolution to revise recreation center membership rates and establish a scholarship program intended to increase youth access.

John Albertson, director of Parks and Recreation, presented the proposal and said the changes would create a universal membership scheme that includes free youth access both annually and monthly, lowers the monthly adult and senior rate to $5 and the annual adult and senior rate to $50, and adds a family pass priced at $90. Albertson also said the city will create a scholarship program in partnership with the PALS Foundation to help guardians who must be present with children meet access requirements.

Albertson estimated the change would produce about a $38,000 revenue shift and said staff will review membership use and scholarship demand after one year and return to council with an update. ‘‘We will review that after a year and bring that back to you, update as to what we're seeing as usage rates, as well as how many people are participating in our scholarships,’’ Albertson said.

Councilmembers praised the proposal as expanding youth access and supporting seniors; a motion to approve passed by voice vote.

The resolution was presented under Chapter 81 of the Longview City Code; no formal ordinance number was given in the meeting record. Staff will implement the new price structure at the city’s recreation centers (including the Broughton and Paula Martin Jones facilities) and work with the PALS Foundation on scholarship guidelines.