Polk County families who utilize the county recreation department’s school’s out, afterschool, summer camp and Gibson Pool have different rates beginning immediately.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, May 5 and approved changing the rates, which mostly affect how multiple children are charged within a family.
Polk County Interim Recreation Director Jerry Stensland reviewed the proposed rate structure prior to the board’s unanimous approval.
Stensland said the only thing changing in the pool rates are the pool passes. He said he and his staff reviewed rates across North Carolina for public pools. He said the average daily rate is $2.70 per person and in western North Carolina Polk is highly comparable with its $3 rate so the daily pool pass rate will remain at $3 per person.
The new family pool pass rate for the season is increasing $10 per family member after the initial $65 for a season pass. Previously, the season pool pass was $65 per person, then $10 per additional family member.
The new rate remains at $65 per person but increases to $20 for every additional family member. Family members are defined as parents, grandparents and children and does not include cousins, nieces and nephews, according to the new rate schedule.
“For a family of four, if they came once a week (to the pool), they would break even (by purchasing a season pass),” Stensland said,” so if they come more it’s a pretty good deal.”
Swimming lesson fees will remain the same as last year.
The county is changing its school’s out, afterschool and summer camp rates in the same manner as the pool fees.
The afterschool fees remain at $35 per week for one child with increases to the school’s out holiday rates for multiple children.
The previous school’s out and summer day camp rates were $50 for three days a week for one child, $70 for two children, $80 for three children and $90 for four children. The new rates are $50 for a three-day week for one child, $90 for two children, $135 for three children and $175 for four children. The full week was previously $70 for one child, $100 for two children, $110 for three children and $120 for four children.
The new rates for a full week of school’s out and camp are $70 for one child, $110 for two children, $150 for three children and $190 for four children.
Students who attend summer camp and the school’s out program can also attend a four-day week with previous rates being $60 for one child, $90 for two children, $100 for three children and $110 for four children.
The new rates are $60 for one child for a four-day week, $100 for two children, $145 for three children and $185 for four children.
Students are required to attend (pay) school’s out and summer day camp at least three days a week.
Stensland said the new recommendations are a more fair structure, particularly the rates for multiple children. The new rates are more fair and corresponds to the actual per child cost to operate the program, Stensland said.
“This structure will ensure the long-term financial stability of the program and put us in a strong position to grow the program, retain and hire experienced staff and improve our facilities and offerings,” said Stensland in his recommendations. “Rates will be reviewed annually and adjusted, including downward if needed, to sustain a financially viable, cost-competitive and high value program.”
Stensland also reminded the county this year the recreation department with Cary Davenport is beginning a competitive swimming program at Gibson Pool. The program will be held on Friday mornings.
Stensland also said there will be an event in downtown Columbus called Spring into a Healthy Summer on May 31, which the pool will be included. (See page 19 for more information about the Spring into a Healthy Summer event)
For more information about the Polk County Recreation Department or its programs and forms to enroll, visit www.polknc.org/departments/recreation/ or the department’s Facebook page.