Assemblyman Lentol Calls on Next Mayor to Lower Fees at City Athletic Facilities

September 16, 2013

Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol (D-North Brooklyn) is calling upon the next mayor to decrease membership fees for city-operated athletic facilities, including city-run recreation centers, ball fields and city-owned tennis courts. The fees for recreational memberships increased in July 2011, for the second time since 2002.

“These fee hikes are pricing people out of the means to lead a healthy life,” Lentol said. “In these tough economic times disposable income is hard to come by and city rec centers have long been known to be the most affordable option.”

Lentol’s call for action is in light of a report issued by the New York City Independent Budget Office (IBO) analyzing the membership and revenue data of the New York City Parks Department’s athletic facilities. The report concluded that the budget shortfall, which the fee increase was intended to close, had severely fallen short. The fee increase was projected to result in $6.3 million in revenue for 2012, yet IBO’s report uncovered only $1.1 million in revenue.

The report also highlighted a drastic decline in memberships for 2012 as a result of the fee increase. The most significant decrease of 52% was seen in memberships at recreation centers, where adult and senior fees doubled.

“The city needs to find other ways to close budget shortfalls while not hurting the health and wellness of the public. I applaud the IBO for this report and hope the next mayor makes the right decision to lower the fees,” Lentol concluded.

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