Ask ELi: Parks, Recreation & Arts Director Explains Increases in Fees

After recreational fees increased for many East Lansing activities, some readers wrote in to ask why the increase occurred, and why the difference in fees for residents and non-residents was eliminated for some activities.

In response, ELi reached out to Parks, Recreation and Arts Director Cathy DeShambo, who responded to our questions via email. In addition to answering ELi’s questions, DeShambo provided a link to the budget document containing the city’s entire fee schedule, which can be viewed here.

1. Are there changes in the prices for recreational activities in East Lansing? What are the changes?

“Each year as part of the City’s budget process, City Council considers the City’s fee schedule and ultimately approves those fees through the budget adoption.  While we really work to keep our fees low, and have been successful in even going several years, or sometimes more with not increasing fees, life post pandemic, for all of us, has included the reality that labor and material costs have increased.  For FY [fiscal year] 2023 and FY 2024, we were coming out of the pandemic, completely reopening facilities in some cases and having to adjust for increases in labor and material costs. We have also been proposing changes in the last two fiscal years that are based in both equity and operational efficiency – so the elimination of the fee differential for residents and non-residents is the result of that work.”

2. What are some of the recreational activities impacted by the changes?

“For example, a daily pass for youth for Hannah Community Center has increased by $1.00 and this is the first increase since at least 2019.  An annual pass to the Hannah Community Center also increased for the first time since 2019 and is an increase of $20 or less for each of the age categories.”

“Now that we have eliminated the resident/non-resident fee differential, the daily admission rate to the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center is $11, which is what the non-resident rate has been since 2019.  We did present Council with comparisons of what other similar Michigan facilities are charging and this daily rate was in line with what other facilities are charging. By purchasing a 10 visit pass to the Aquatic Center (which can be used by multiple people per visit), a user can reduce their admission cost to $9.00.

Some fees remain the same and were not increased for FY 2024, such as tuition rates for Summer Kids Camp and Before and After School Program tuition, as an example.”

3. Some people who have written to us have said there used to be lower fees for EL residents vs non-residents but the pricing is now the same. Is this true? Why was that change made?

“In FY 2023, City Council, through the budget adoption, eliminated the resident/non-resident fee differential for all youth programming. We had proposed this elimination during the budget process. This action did spark conversation about whether we should continue to have this fee differential continue with adult programming and with Aquatic Center admission. In addition to the perspective of equity, there is operational efficiency that is gained by not having to check resident status and only charging one fee. We presented the option of eliminating the fee differential for all adult programming and for the Aquatic Center for FY 2024 during budget presentations and City Council approved those proposed changes.”

4. Are there programs or assistance available to families who may struggle to pay fees?

“We do have options available to assist those for whom cost is a barrier. We have scholarship opportunities for all youth programming including Middle School Sports and an Adult dance/yoga scholarship. Last year we also launched the Round Up for Scholarship fund that allows folks to round up, or even donate distinct amounts to provide scholarships for both youth and adults.  Additionally, we have scholarships available in our All-of-us-Express Children’s Theatre program.”