The Baltimore County Council is considering new fees for some recreational sports, but some residents and referees are opposed. County officials said the new fees will help make club, travel and adult sports programs more inclusive and equitable, but critics argue the fees are unnecessary. Santoro established a pickleball program at the Soukup Arena Rec Center several years ago. “Right now, I have five groups, and the number has grown from zero to almost 200. I'm worried that if fees are implemented, the program will quickly collapse.” she said. The Baltimore County Recreation and Parks Department announced the proposal in December. Specifically, fees for using county sports fields and courts will increase. “Our travel teams, club teams, and all adult programs will have to pay a fee, as some refer to it, to utilize Baltimore County-owned facilities. “Some people call it a rental fee or a hidden tax,'' said Paul Amirault, Perry Hall Recreation Council treasurer. “We're in the dark because we haven't been told how much the rental will be yet. We have no idea what we're going to pay on July 1st.” Video below: Officials at budget meeting While discussing fees, Recreation Councils will pay rental fees, Amirault said the nonprofit would then have to pass those costs on to athletes through increased registration fees, and the new fees would be It will increase funding and help modernize the stadium, it said in a statement. “The Recreation and Nature Council will continue to be a valued partner as we work together to create a more comprehensive and efficient system that more equitably serves residents across Baltimore County.” says part of the statement. “It's a fee. If it's a huge fee, the public has a choice: pay it, don't play, or go elsewhere. It's like going to some kind of private club. I mean,” Amirault said. Over the weekend, more than 2,000 signatures had already been collected. The fees were discussed during Wednesday evening's Budget Town Hall meeting. “For travel, club and adult programs, there is some discussion that there may be a small fee to use the facilities, but we believe that these fees will be used on the back end to cover the offline costs that you currently pay.” ” said Recreation and Parks Director Bob Smith. “Right now the Recreation Council is providing things like field chalk and bases and soccer goals. The Recreation Council thinks we should take that on, and this is a way to kind of strike a balance.” “I feel like this is already costing parents a lot of money,” said Bridget Craig, a parent who teaches dance at Water's Edge Recreation Council. “It's a close game at the moment. I don't know where you're helping us here.” “We're fighting for field space as we are right now,” the president and coach said. said Earl Turnage. Dundalk Junior Owls football program. “A lot of coaches are already putting out (money) out of their own pocket to sponsor kids, but it's definitely going to be tough.”
The Baltimore County Council is considering new fees for some recreational sports, but some residents and referees are opposed.
County officials said the new fee will help make club, travel and adult sports programs more inclusive and equitable, but critics argue the fee is an unnecessary tax. There is.
Terry Santoro founded the pickleball program at Soukup Arena Rec Center several years ago.
“Now we have five groups and we’ve grown from zero to nearly 200,” she said.
She worries that the program could collapse quickly if the fee was implemented.
“The program was going to get greedy and ruin it. Someone got greedy right away,” Santoro said.
The Baltimore County Recreation and Parks Department announced the proposal in December. Specifically, fees for using county sports fields and courts will increase.
“Our travel teams, club teams, and all adult programs must pay user fees when using Baltimore County-owned facilities. some people call it,” Perry Hall Recreation said. Council Treasurer Paul Amirault said. “We're in the dark because we haven't been told how much the rental will be yet. We have no idea what we're going to pay on July 1st.”
Video below: Officials discuss fees at budget meeting
Amirault said the Recreation Council would pay the additional costs up front, but the nonprofit would then have to reverse course and pass that cost on to athletes through increased registration fees.
The director of the Department of Recreation and Parks said in a statement that the new fees will increase funding and help modernize the department.
“The Recreation and Nature Council will continue to be an important partner as we work together to create a more comprehensive and efficient system that more equitably serves residents across Baltimore County.” says part of the statement.
“It will depend on what the dues are. If it's a huge dues, people have a choice: pay it, don't play, or go somewhere else – some kind of privacy. Go to the club,'' Amirault said.
An online petition campaign against the new fees was launched over the weekend and has already gathered more than 2,000 signatures.
The fees were discussed during Wednesday evening's budget town hall meeting.
“For travel, clubs and adult programs, there is talk that there may be a small fee to use the facilities, but those fees will be applied to the back end of the offline costs that are currently being paid.” said the Recreation Department Director and Recreation Director. Parks, Bob Smith. “Right now the Recreation Council is providing things like field chalk and bases and soccer goals. The Recreation Council thinks we should take that on, and this is a way to kind of strike a balance.”
“I feel like this is already costing parents a lot of money,” said Bridget Craig, a parent who teaches dance at Water's Edge Recreation Council. “Every penny is a pinch game at this point. I don't know where you're helping us here.”
“We're fighting for field space right now,” said Earl Turnage, president and coach of the Dundalk Junior Owls football program. “A lot of coaches are already putting out (money) out of their own pocket to sponsor kids, but it's definitely going to be tough.”
