Brandon Twp.- The township board made amends at their March 2 meeting? in more ways than one.
The board unanimously voted to lower the cost of renting recreation fields at the Brandon Township Community Park to $25-$35 per hour, amending last year’s decision to charge $40 per hour for games. The $25 per hour fee will be for renters who book for several events in a season, such as travel teams, while the $35 per hour fee will be for one-time events.
‘I believe we will have more participation on our fields, which will have a positive impact on our township,? said Supervisor Kathy Thurman. ‘It will be a safer place for young participants to play, will draw more people into our community, and will help contribute to the utilization of the fields.?
Controversy erupted last year over decisions regarding recreation, first when the township board decided to charge non-residents a $60 fee to participate in recreation programs and later when the recreation department discontinued a years-long association with travel teams and the board voted to charge the $40 per hour fee for rental of the new fields at the park located at 1414 N. Hadley Road.
The decisions backfired? with decreased participation in recreation programs and travel teams opting to play on fields elsewhere. The board later voted to lower the non-resident fee to $15 per event.
The decision now to lower the rental fee appears to be a step toward mending the relationship between the township and the travel teams.
‘The travel teams didn’t use the fields last year because last year’s rate was too high,? said Parks and Recreation Director Fred Waybrant. ‘The board was looking at generating really good revenues, but they kept it so high no one rented the fields. They wanted to keep green space, but the travel teams only require two fields, so someone could still have a get-together while a soccer game is going on.?
Waybrant has already booked U9, U10, and U12 travel soccer teams for the spring, at a cost of $1,000 for the season.
‘We’re thrilled with them passing our application and with the kids being out there at the new park to play,? said Jan Pasteiner, president of the Brandon Hawks Soccer Club. ‘The kids are very excited.?