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Park & Rec mulls new fees

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission made a recommendation for the 2021-2022 Rec Center fees, Monday.

The Rec Center fees saw increases due to the new amenities and improvements to the new Recreation Center currently under construction.

With the completion of the new facility Park and Rec is seeking new daily admission and membership fees and establishing a new age structure for fees.

There would be four age structures, including infants, youth, adults and seniors. Infants under a year would have free admission. Youths (1-11 years) and seniors (55 and up) would have a $7 daily admission. Adults (12-54) $9 admission. A daily admission with fitness classes is $11. Admission for the playground only or track only is $3.

The 12-punch Rec Center cards would be $63 for youth/seniors and $81 for adults.

Three-month and annual memberships are still available to users.

Civic Center fees will not change.

The commission had questions regarding the classification of adults. Commissioner David Christian asked if 12 year olds were always considered adults by Park and Recreation.

Assistant Parks Director Cheryl Kormann said 12 years is the minimum age requirement for using the fitness equipment and fitness classes. The 12 years old will require orientation to use the equipment, but adult supervision will not be required.

Commissioner Bob Skilling suggested a different name for the adult classification to avoid confusion.

Commissioner Laura Evans said if 12-year-olds were able to use the same facilities as older users, she was fine with the adult classification.

Park and Recreation Director Tom Schmitz suggested a “regular” classification for users 12-54.

Commissioner Christoper Vorwerk commented he believed the walking track fee of $3 was too high. He believed a $1 was better.

Schmitz said improvements have been made to the walking track in the field house. A new walking surface was created and mesh netting replaced the green curtain for better visibility with the courts.

Christian said at this time it is unknown how the general public will respond to these fees, but a starting number needed to be chosen.

Kormann said these fees were determined based on similar facilities offered in other communities in this region.

The commissioners ultimately approved the fees recommended by staff. Final approval will come before the city council.

If approved by the city these fees would go into effect August 2 and run through December 31, 2022.

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The commission received an update on Reinvest in New Ulm (RENU) projects. Schmitz said the Recreation Center is approximately 60% complete and is on schedule to be complete in August.

The Hermann Heights Park landscaping project is underway. Over 250 trees and shrubs will be planted in the park this week.

Park and Recreation recommended accepting $11,110 is cash donations. The majority of the funds were from Duane and Cleo Bohne. The Bohnes donated $10,000 for Riverside Park building window replacements.

The next Park and Recreation meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 14.

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