The Crestwood Board of Aldermen recently approved an increase to membership fees at the Crestwood Aquatic Center; the board also approved membership fees and daily rates for The Cliffs at Whitecliff Park, the upcoming community center which is currently under construction. Both of these resolutions were passed at the board’s July 28 meeting.
In a memo, City staff cited rising costs of operation and annual mechanical repairs as the reason for increasing Aquatic Center membership fees. The increased membership fees are expected to annually generate an additional $35,000, approximately.
“In 2019, minimum wage was $9.35 an hour and the current minimum wage is $15 per hour. This doesn’t just affect the lifeguards; it also affects front desk and concession workers. In addition, managers and headguard salaries needed to increase accordingly. Therefore, increasing overall expenses,” Director of Parks and Recreation Eilien Ramirez stated in the memo. “The Aquatic Center is an aging facility with multiple mechanical repairs and leaks needed annually. Between maintenance and staff increases you can see the losses that are occurring at the Aquatic Center annually.”
For individual memberships at the Aquatic Center, resident fees will increase from $85 to $105; fees for those in the Lindbergh Schools district will increase from $135 to $160; and non-resident fees will increase from $155 to $190.
For family memberships at the Aquatic Center, resident fees will increase from $225 to $270; fees for those in the Lindbergh Schools district will increase from $360 to $370; and non-resident fees will increase from $410 to $420. Family memberships are based on a family of four. A family of four is now defined as four people living in the same household; formerly the requirement was two adults and two children residing at the same address.
Ramirez explained that the last time membership fees were raised, only non-residents saw price increases. Staff decided not to increase Lindbergh and non-resident fees at a steeper rate — like that of the increased resident fees — for this reason.
Ward 1 Alderman Jesse Morrison was the sole alderman to vote no on this resolution to increase Aquatic Center membership fees. During discussion, he explained that some families he has spoken with don’t see the high membership fees as being “worth it” for the number of times they go to the Aquatic Center.
The Crestwood Board of Aldermen has also set fees for The Cliffs. According to Ramirez, discussions about these fees started a year ago by comparing the facilities and activities to be offered at The Cliffs with the fees of similar, nearby community centers from other municipalities.
For individuals, the monthly fee at The Cliffs will be $30 for residents and $39 for non-residents. For families — based on a family of four — the monthly fee will be $49 for residents and $65 for non-residents. As aforementioned, a family of four is defined as four people living in the same household. Additional family members can be added for a fee.
For individuals, the annual fee at The Cliffs will be $330 for residents and $429 for non-residents. For families, the annual fee will be $539 for residents and $715 for non-residents. When someone pays the annual fee, they receive one month free.
Membership benefits include use of the fitness center, walking track, gymnasium, fitness on demand classes, the ability to make tennis court reservations and discounts on programs.
Daily rates will be $6 for residents and $10 for non-residents after an amendment was made during the Board of Aldermen meeting. These rates for The Cliffs were passed unanimously by the board.
There will also be a platinum membership, which members can only pay annually instead of monthly. Ramirez says this is due to feedback from the City of Clayton that those members sometimes cancelled their monthly platinum memberships when it was no longer summertime, going back and forth between platinum and regular memberships.
The platinum membership will offer the same amenities as the regular membership to The Cliffs, though with the addition of an Aquatic Center membership, fitness classes and daycare for family memberships.
The platinum membership for individuals will be $455 for residents and $650 for non-residents. The platinum membership for families will be $850 for residents and $1,190 for non-residents.
