Leon Younger, parks consultant 'The imposition of a fee is as bad as the imposition of a tax. Enterprises which are generally less lucrative include swimming pools, ice skating rinks, ballfields, playgrounds and bike trails. Those persons who claim they cannot afford to pay a donation of any amount are asked to fill out a form and are then granted a free membership card. Because of the fees, the centers have improved dramatically, particularly their weight rooms which, Garafola found, are the best mechanisms for bringing people in for the first time. In the most densely populated neighborhoods in Manhattan, the city rec centers are now reaching memberships of 10,000-15,000 each.
People are willing to pay if they get good value.
Best is to upgrade facilities before raising the price. Explain the fees. Explain your budgetary and cost realities to the public in every way possible placards, brochures, pie charts, speeches. Make sure to include your long-term capital expenses as well as your ongoing management costs. Highlight the value.