Charter Member Discounts Will Be Offered at New Eureka Rec Center

Next to when it might open, the question of how much membership will cost to the new Eureka community recreation center, The Timbers, is a frequently posed query.

The city revealed the price structure back in April, but over the summer it generated some controversy with after residents complained that it is too expensive and lacks some desired amenities, such as an indoor pool.

City officials have responded by saying they think the membership fees are fair and are set at a level that will keep the Timbers from being a huge financial drain on Eureka’s coffers. Even at the current prices, they expect it will have to be subsidized by tax revenues to some extent.

However, Eureka Mayor Kevin Coffey recently revealed the details of a discount program that he said has been under discussion for at least a year. It would offer special promotional rates to “charter members” of the Timbers.

Currently, a full membership for a family of residents is $550 annually, $450 for a single adult. Other memberships range from $250 for seniors to as much as $750 for non-resident families.

Residents who sign up for a membership within a set period after the Timbers opens (the specific number of days hasn’t been established yet) will receive a discount off that annual cost. It will be $120 for families and senior couples, and $60 for individuals.

The promotion will continue into its second year of operation, but will be reduced to $60 for families and seniors, and $30 for individuals.

While the prices are listed in annual amounts, memberships who set up automatic payments can be billed monthly. Parks Director Missy Burden is still working on the final specifics, according to Coffey.

He said the city and board of aldermen have considered several methods to help market the facility once it is completed, including T-shirts and advertising.

“This is one of the ways we have been looking at promoting the rec center,” he said.