Published: May 03, 2008 12:23 am            

Pool and other park fees to increase

It will cost a bit more to take a dip in public pool this summer.

The Effingham Park District Board Thursday night raised general admission rates for Kluthe Memorial Pool by a quarter to deal with rising costs.

For children who are in the age range of 6 to 15, the rates are now $4.25 all day and $3.25 after 5 p.m. For those in the age range of 16 and above, the rates are $4.75 before 5 p.m. and $3.75 after 5 p.m. The rates for senior citizens are now $4.25 before 5 p.m. and $3.25 after 5 p.m.

The general admission prices for children 5 and younger and the 7 p.m. admission and re-entry rates remain unchanged.

“Our pay rates are going up. Our electricity is going up. I fear that we can’t break even,” said Director Ron Diehl.

The board approved a pay increase of a quarter for all employees beginning July 1 to coincide with the increase in Illinois minimum wage.

The pay for all district umpires, except those officiating flag football, rose $4 per game. Nonlicensed officials for girls softball, Khoury League and Little League will receive $16 per game, while licensed umpires will receive $18. Prep and Junior Babe Ruth nonlicensed officials will receive $18 per game, while licensed officials will receive $20.

Other increases in rental rates include $5 more for birthday party rentals at the pool to $50 and $55 if the pool provides paper products; nonresident’s rental fee for the red pavilion at Evergreen Hollow Park to $57; and nonresident’s recreation fee to $32.

Treasurer Anita Broom reported $390,000 in bonds were sold April 19 to finance the district’s four capital improvement projects, which are a 75-by-75-foot section of roof on Hendelmeyer Recreation Center and new lights on the baseball diamond, a new press box/concession stand and a restroom at Community Park.

Diehl said the rec center roof project has been completed and work on the baseball diamond lights and press box/concession stand at Community Park will likely begin this summer.

Diehl also said the park district is waiting for word from Effingham City Council on when it can begin accepting bids for the restrooms at Community Park.

City officials are awaiting permission from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to begin sewer work at Community Park in preparation for the restroom facility.

“We would like to extend the sanitary sewer down Virginia Street, so that would allow a manhole or connection to the sanitary sewer system at the park,” said City Engineer Steve Miller.

The city council authorized an agreement April 15 for Farnsworth Group to survey, design and get a permit from the IEPA.

“We are in the process of getting that permit. Then the city would consider doing that (the sewer work) with our people or bidding it out,” Miller said.

The board also re-elected officers for the new fiscal year, including David McDevitt as president and Steven Pickett as vice president. Q. Anthony Siemer also was retained at the district’s attorney and Anita Broom was retained as the district treasurer.

Board members Dennis Carie and Jim Schimmelpfenning were elected to the Budget Committee, which also consists of McDevitt and Diehl.

In the director’s report, Diehl told the board the Effingham County Family YMCA has requested permission to use park district’s grounds for its soccer programs once the Y moves to a storefront operation. The district would charge a small fee to cover maintenance costs.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the recommendation of about 85 people for summer employment. Background checks were run on all new employees.

• Approved the board meeting dates and time for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The July meeting was changed from July 3 to July 10.

• Awarded a bid for the construction of a 10-foot merry-go-round at Hendelmeyer Park to Bergfeld Recreation for $3,291.

• Learned the district will have a summer intern from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston.

Angie Faller can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or angie.faller@

effinghamdailynews.com.