$20 for a public pool admission? Some Columbus suburbs forced to raise rates

The wave of visitors to public pools swells with summer heat. And when the outside temperature gets into the high 80s, the waters churn with activity.

For those fortunate enough to live in the suburbs, admission to some of the more updated pools with lazy rivers, splash pads and water slides is subsidized. For nonresidents, it can be costly. Some would say unreasonably so.

Read More: Summer is coming and these Columbus-area pools will be opening soon

It you are a nonresident or don't work in the city, Westerville's Highlands Park Aquatic Center will set you back $20 per visit, among the highest nonresident rates in Greater Columbus.

By comparison, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium members pay about $30 to the adjacent Zoombezi Bay, a water-themed amusement park. For $40 per person, twice the admission of the Westerville pool, people who aren't zoo members get access to the water park.

Recently, some families have shown up at the Westerville pool and paid as much as $200 for the day.

Even before the increase, rates were known to be high.

Genoa Township resident Fara Waugh recalled a couple of years ago visiting with extended family.

She doesn't recall the exact price for the group of 10. But, she said, "I do remember feeling like it was very costly. There was some sticker shock."

"It very well can't help but exclude those on fixed incomes or without discretionary income," said Waugh, the executive director of SourcePoint senior center in Delaware County.

Family memberships can offset that sticker shock, especially for larger families who are frequent pool users. But memberships often require residency.

Examples include the Big Splash in Grove City and Orange Township Aquatic Center in southern Delaware County both of which are for resident-members only and their guests.

Both Westerville and Pickerington Community Pool charge nonmembers $10 per person, with residency requirements.

The nonresident rate of $20 per person in Westerville is $5 more than Worthington's nonresident rate, $8 more than Gahanna's (where guests must accompany a pool member) and twice that of Delaware's Jack Florance Pool at Mingo Park.

Canal Winchester Community Pool has among the lowest daily rates in Greater Columbus at $8 per person, regardless of residency.

Westerville officials said the decision to jump to $20 was difficult, but justified and due to operational costs, not excluding anyone.

The city collects 0.25% of its income tax for parks and recreation, including the Highlands Park pool at 245 South Spring Road. Residents and those who work in the city, who effectively support it, should get a discount, says city spokeswoman Christa Dickey.

"They have a stake in the community because they live here, work here and pay their taxes, and they get to enjoy the amenities," Dickey said.

Maintenance, personnel and other costs make the pool increasingly costly and challenging to operate, she said. Post-COVID safeguards related to pools have also had an impact.

Dickey added that on days when 400 to 500 people may attend, security becomes an issue with "a high level of public safety monitoring."

Between May 31 and Sept. 1 last year, there were 52 incidents requiring a police response, about once every other day.

"Every year we have issues," Dickey said. "Kids thrown out for bullying, being disruptive, stealing from others, arguments involving chairs, it runs the gamut ..." Two Westerville bike-patrol officers typically keep watch outside on busy days and for big events.

Asked if the price increase was intended to exclude outsiders who cause trouble, Dickey said "We see plenty of those who live or work in the city who come to the pool and might also cause problems."

Labor costs have risen dramatically, said Woody Woodward, executive director of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

"For the last two-to-three summers, it's been increasingly difficult to hire lifeguards," he said. "And some pools have really had to limit hours."

More than doubling pay rates for guards — from $8 to $18 per hour — combined with reduced hours, has hurt revenues, Woodward said.

"We want to do whatever we can to improve the lives of those we serve," he said, noting that Columbus pools are heavily subsidized and charge $1 per visit.

Dickey says Westerville strives for a 3-to-1 ratio of residents to nonresidents at the pool, and a pool people feel is worth the cost.

"It's a beautiful facility to go for the day," said Dickey. "You go to a movie and you'll spend that for movie and food."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

Columbus area daily pool rates

• Westerville: $10 resident; $20 non-resident

• Worthington: $15 adult; $10 child; $8 senior

• Gahanna: $9 resident; $12 non-resident with lower rates after 4 p.m.

• Pickerington: $10; non-resident minors must be accompanied by an adult or season-pass holder

• Dublin: $10 adult resident; $12 adult resident guest; lower prices for children and seniors, non-residents must come with a resident

• Canal Winchester: $8 for ages 3-59; $3 for ages 60+; cheaper rates on Sunday

• Delaware: $8 resident; $10 non-resident

• Grove City: Admission only for members and their guests

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Some Columbus suburbs forced to raise swimming rates