Wellness Center fees stir dissent

The leaders of the commission which governs the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department have made it clear they want the new Lincoln University Wellness and Parks Multipurpose Recreation Center to be accessible to the maximum number of residents at the minimum cost possible.

Access to the Wellness Center should not be linked to residents' wallets, Parks Commission chairman Brad Bates said.

A fee schedule proposed by Parks staff was rejected by the Parks Commission last week after significant research by Parks Director Todd Spalding and Tina Werner, the general recreation and support services division director, along with Lincoln's athletic director and basketball coach John Mosely and Sheila Gassner, the Lincoln director of design and construction.

The commission rejected Spalding's recommendation for adoption of the fee plan and instructed him to revise it and submit it for further consideration at an unscheduled future meeting. Spalding said there was some urgency in approving the fees because the Wellness Center is nearing completion. The suggested opening date is Jan. 30.

The director's appeal did not alter the commission's opposition to the original document presented by staff, even when Spalding said a reopening of the staff's work and revising fees would require a special meeting of the panel.

"The people have already paid for this facility with their tax dollars. It is our responsibility to make sure they have access to do it," Bates told the News Tribune.

"Like a park, there should always be an option for someone to walk in and enjoy it, and not have to bring their wallet."

Denise Chapel, the vice chairwoman of the commission, told the newspaper, "I simply wanted to ensure that we were considering the community as a whole and not just the ones who typically have access to a membership fee-based facility.

"Access is critical to ensure our whole community can benefit from this facility and its wellness programming. It would be irresponsible of us to give a blanket fee decision without doing a deeper dive into the amenities offered, programming opportunities, accessibility and due diligence as to affordability within the community we serve," Chapel said.

In his proposal to the commission, Spalding had said he and Werner have been working cooperatively with Gassner and Mosley to develop fees and rental rates, as well as operational policies and procedures for the new Wellness Center.

"In establishing the fees/rental rates recommendation, we have been researching fees charged by other similar facilities in the area, as well as around the state," Spalding said. "As a group, we feel the proposed fees are appropriate for our market. We would ask that the proposed fees be approved and adopted by you, contingent on approval from the Lincoln Board of Curators (last week)."

The Lincoln board did approve the proposed fees, which cover use of the Wellness Center's basketball courts, walking track and fitness center, including daily drop-in fees and annual passes.

The Lincoln curators and Parks commissioners were advised the proposed fees are "cheaper across the board" than similar recreation fees in the state.

For instance, the Jefferson City YMCA day pass is $5 for youths, $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and $15 for families. The Activities and Recreation Center in Columbia charges $3.50 for a youth, $5.75 for an adult, $3.50 for a senior and $14.50 for a family. At the Centre in Rolla, the fees are $6 for youths, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $22 for a family.

Similar fees were found when Spalding examined Jefferson City Public Schools' gym rental rates, as well as those at Helias, Blair Oaks, Trinity Lutheran, St. Peter's, Lincoln Jason Gym, the Linn Rec Center, First Christian Church, Central United Church of Christ and Crossfit.

Here's how those fees compare with those proposed for the Wellness Center: the daily drop-in fee, including use of the courts, walking track and fitness center, would be $3 for youths, $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $15 for families. Annual passes were proposed to be $240 for youth and seniors, $300 for adults and $372 for families. Semester passes for Lincoln faculty were suggested at $125 and $50 for the summer semester. Court fees were proposed at $40 an hour for a full court and $20 an hour for half court. Meeting and activity rooms were proposed at $20 for small and $25 for large, double for alcohol, and a flat fee of $10 for audio visual equipment.

The staff had suggested free public use of the walking track from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday for the first two months from opening day, after which Parks and Lincoln would evaluate usage.

"We also are recommending opening the facility up for free use to everyone through Feb. 14, 2017," Spalding told the Parks commissioners.

After the Parks commissioners agree on a fee schedule, it must be reviewed again by the Lincoln curators.