Pool admission price going up this summer

When summer 2012 rolls around, it will cost more to cool off at the Greencastle City Pool.

For only the third time since the city pool opened nearly 20 years ago, the cost of admission is going up.

The Greencastle Park Board Thursday night unanimously voted to increase the daily pool admission price for everyone age five and older from $3 to $5.

Park Director Rod Weinschenk said the increase is necessary because the pool is facing "several thousand dollars" in needed repairs. While some of the funds to pay for repair work will come out of the 2012 operating budget, another source of revenue is needed to help cover the cost of pool repairs.

While the daily admission price will go to $5 for all those age 5 and up, anyone four or younger will continue to be admitted to the pool free of charge.

The daily pool admission increase should mean more people will consider buying season passes, Weinschenk reasoned.

"If they're going to hang out at the pool every day, it is going to be better to buy a season pass," he said.

Park Board members recalled raising the daily admission from $2.50 to $3 "six or seven years ago," longtime board member Tim Trigg said.

Admission was $2 when the pool opened.

Individual season passes also have been raised from $40 to $50 by the board's action, while the 10-punch pass is priced at $40, representing a $10 savings for those who might go to the pool multiple times but could not fully utilize a season pass.

A family pool pass for up to four people is priced at $150 (with each additional family member costing another $25).

"One of the best parts about the price breakdown here is the flexibility," said Kyle Kerrigan, the newest Park Board member who swam for DePauw University and has pool operations in his background.

The Park Board also voted to raise private pool rentals by $10. The new charges established for private pool party rentals this season are $160 for 1-75 people, $230 for 76-150 people and $310 for 151 people or more.

A $5 increase has also been approved for the 2012 learn-to-swim program for children age seven and up. The cost this summer will be $35 for 10 half-hour classes in the program.

The Water Babies class, however, will remain at $30 for 10 half-hour sessions. Private swim lessons will continue to cost $80 for 10 half-hour sessions.

Meanwhile, Weinschenk said he is considering pushing up the normal April 1 opening of Robe-Ann Park since the weather has been warm and people are already using the park. The main gate at Bloomington Street has been open all winter anyway, he said.

In other business, the Park Board:

-- Heard Friends of the Park President Jan Firebaugh report that Eggfest, the annual nighttime egg hunt for teenagers, is scheduled for 9 p.m. April 6 at Robe-Ann Park. Admission is $5 with 7,000 eggs and hundreds of prizes up for grabs.

-- Heard the Celebrate 4 Committee has begun planning the July 4 celebration, and is "looking for some energetic people," Weinschenk said. The next meeting of the committee is set for 2 p.m. March 12 at City Hall.

-- Approved the hiring of William Sauter of Rockville to succeed Ed Neumann, who resigned his position as fulltime park maintenance supervisor. Sauter has extensive construction and concrete work experience, Weinschenk said.

-- Selected the winners of the Brickmania Lego building contest as Ben Staggers, first place for Atlantis, and Evan Davies, second place for the space shuttle, in the youth kit division. Eli Hardwick and family won the Master Builder category.

Park Board members Trigg, Kerrigan, John Hennette and Beva Miller attended the March meeting at City Hall. Also on hand were Weinschenk and assistant director Troy Scott, along with Library Board liaison Wes Wilson and City Council liaison Phyllis Rokicki.