Enumclaw pool raises rates for second time

Two more increases are expected in 2020 and 2021.

By Kevin Hanson • September 19, 2019 9:45 am
Tags:
Teenagers at the Enumclaw pool enjoying WIBIT Night in February; WIBIT is a company that makes unique water inflatables, like obstacle courses, climbing walls, battle arenas, and more. Photo courtesy Enumclaw Aquatic Center
Teenagers at the Enumclaw pool enjoying WIBIT Night in February; WIBIT is a company that makes unique water inflatables, like obstacle courses, climbing walls, battle arenas, and more. Photo courtesy Enumclaw Aquatic Center

Working toward a goal of improving the financial outlook at the Enumclaw swimming pool, city leaders recently approved a sweeping increase in user fees.

The action came, with staff consent and without public argument, during a brief session of the Enumclaw City Council.

The fee increases are part of a three-year plan to boost revenues at the pool, formally known as the Enumclaw Aquatic Center. Following the advice of a citizen advisory committee, the city implemented a plan to hike fees by 28 percent over a three-year span.

The first rate bump came this year, a double-digit increase of 14 percent. On track now is a 7 percent jump for 2020 and another 7 percent in 2021.

Here are a few examples of what the increases bring for city residents. Those living outside the city limits pay a bit more because their property taxes do not help support the pool operation.

– The “public swim/lap swim/water walking” rate for adults goes from $5.75 per hour to $6.25. The hourly rate for youth, seniors, the disabled and those in the military climbs from $4.50 to $5.

– The hourly fee for adult water exercise classes goes from $7 to $7.50.

– All the pool rental rates are being increased. For a group of 25 or fewer, the fee will jump from $96 to $105. for a large group, from 120 to 150 people, the rate climbs from $212 to $225.

– Swim lessons for youth, an eight-class session, move from $60 to $65. The eight-session “parent/tot” class will cost $50, up from $45.

In other action during their Sept. 9 meeting, members of the City Council:

• approved a Kibler Court preliminary plat, providing the go-ahead for a project that will turn a seven-acre parcel of land into 21 single-family residential lots.

The project, proposed by Carl Sanders Construction, sits on the north side of Kibler Avenue and on both sides of Florence Street. Plans include road improvements, the extension of city sewer lines and a stormwater disposal system.

• wrapped up this year’s “hard surface repair project,” with expenditures totaling almost $253,000. The project replaced cement concrete roadway panels, sidewalks and driveway entrances at various locations throughout the city. The bid for the work had been awarded to Nordvind Company.

Tags: