Updated: Pool Fees to Increase for 2011 Season

Not that any of us are thinking about taking a dip in the pool anytime soon, but Beachwood’s pool fees will go up this summer.

Council approved an ordinance Monday to raise prices for individual season passes by $5 and family season passes by $10. This is the third time fees have been raised, but the last hike was in 2005.*

Karen Carmen, Beachwood’s community services director, said that attendance has been steady at the Beachwood Family Aquatic Center the last couple years. In 2010, the pool saw nearly 56,000 visits, a bit more than 2009’s 53,262, but that's a big drop from its first full season - 2004 with over 67,000 visitors - and its banner year, 2005, when it had over 76,000 visitors.*

But season passes allow unlimited visits for a flat rate, so attendance doesn’t necessarily show how well the pool is faring. Revenue from pass sales has steadily decreased from $200,000 in 2007 to around $181,000 last summer.

The fee increases are projected to generate an extra $7,235 in the pool’s revenue fund.

Carmen added that the city subsidizes the pool about $300,000 per year for operations costs. “It’s definitely not a money maker,” she said.

The pool, which cost $5.2 million,* opened in 2003.

Individual season passes for residents will cost $50 for the 2011 season. A family of up to four people will be charged $155. Each additional family member is still $20.

For more fee information, visit the Family Aquatic Center's website.

*Editor's Note: This article was updated at 4 p.m. with more revenue and attendance figures.

**In 2003, the pool was not open for a full season.