Oklahoma City Parks, Public Pools Raise Fees for Summer

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Swimmers and exercise enthusiasts will pay more to use public pools and parks this summer.

The Oklahoma City City Council approved a measure that would raise the fees on its two family aquatic centers and for group exercise instructors using city parks.

Daily entry fees for the aquatic centers will be $6, up $1 from last year. Seasonal passes for families and individuals remain unchanged. Exercise, or boot camp instructors, will now pay $50 a month to teach their courses at approved sites in city parks.

"We think we'll raise an additional $60,000 in all the fees that we made changes in," said Wendel Whisenhunt, Oklahoma City Parks Director.

Mayor Mike Cornett said the council made sure to strike a delicate balance between raising rates and helping the economy.

"This is a significant budget year. It's the worst year that I've faced in the nine years that I've been on city council and around as mayor," Mayor Cornett said. "It's going to be a service level that I hope people will not even notice, and it's very likely that they will."

Officials said that money could mean the difference between keeping the facilities open or closing them altogether.

The changes will go into effect in about 30 days.