### Meeting Overview On December 16, 2024, the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Committee met to consider resolution to update facility use fees across the city's parks and recreation system. The committee reviewed proposed increases designed to streamline fee structures and account for rising maintenance and operational costs at facilities including the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, Lake Padden Golf Course, and various park pavilions. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Facility Use Fees:** Charges imposed by the city for reserving or using specific parks and recreation facilities like pavilions, pools, golf courses, and event spaces. **Stipend:** Annual financial allocation from the city to neighborhood associations ($750 currently, proposed increase to $1,000) to help offset facility rental costs for meetings and community events. **Green Fees:** Golf course charges for playing rounds, typically differentiated between weekday/weekend rates, adult/senior/junior pricing, and 9-hole/18-hole options. **Commercial vs. Nonprofit Use:** Previously the city had different fee structures for commercial versus nonprofit facility users, but eliminated this distinction 4-5 years ago due to enforcement difficulties. **Cleaning Fee:** New $50/hour charge for facilities that require cleaning beyond normal protocols when event organizers leave excessive mess or debris. **Woodstock Farm:** Historic farm facility requiring all-day rentals ($4,000 per day) rather than hourly rates due to high staffing and maintenance requirements. **Dynamic Pricing:** Pricing strategy that adjusts rates based on demand, time of year, or other market factors - used at Lake Padden Golf Course. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Committee Chair, Fourth Ward Council Member | | Hollie Huthman | Committee Member, Second Ward Council Member | | Jace Cotton | Committee Member, At-Large Council Member | | Nicole Oliver | Director of Parks and Recreation | | Hannah Stone | Council Member (non-committee member) | | Lisa Anderson | Council Member (non-committee member) | | Kim Lund | Mayor | ### Background Context This fee update comes after several years without adjustments - aquatic center fees haven't changed since 2018, and golf course fees were frozen during the pandemic. The city is balancing cost recovery needs with keeping facilities affordable and accessible. Lake Padden Golf Course has seen dramatic growth (from 27,000 to 42,000 rounds played between 2018-2023) and now draws 20% of users from Canada. The committee also grappled with equity concerns about neighborhood access, leading to discussions about increasing stipends for all 26 neighborhood associations rather than providing special accommodations for specific groups. ### What Happened — The Short Version Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Oliver presented proposed fee increases across multiple facilities, highlighting significant changes like Woodstock Farm's shift from $200/hour to $4,000/day and various pavilion adjustments. Council members discussed equity implications, particularly for the Cordata neighborhood which heavily uses the Cordata Park Pavilion. Mayor Lund announced plans to increase neighborhood association stipends from $750 to $1,000 annually. Council Member Stone requested changing "citizens" to "residents and visitors" in the resolution's language for inclusivity. The committee approved both this amendment and the overall resolution unanimously. ### What to Watch Next - Final council vote on the resolution at the evening meeting - Implementation of the neighborhood association stipend increase in 2025 - Reopening of Woodstock Farm with new pricing structure and limited weekend availability - Van Wyck Lodge completion and availability for rentals - Continued monitoring of Lake Padden Golf Course's popularity and revenue generation ---