Golfers not the only users charged fees for city sites

By June Watanabe

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 30, 2012

~~<p>Question:  During the past two years, the cost of golfing at a public course has increased over 50 percent! Are fees charged for using other public facilities, i.e., soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, swimming pools? If yes, what are the rates, if no, why are golfers discriminated against? Many of the public facilities operate during the night so who pays for electricity? “Green fees” generate income to help offset golf course maintenance expenses, therefore, in all fairness, everyone using facilities requiring maintenance, power, water, etc. should be charged a user fee.</p>
<p>Answer: The city has begun charging fees at certain other recreational venues, although the public policy has been to make most beach and park facilities available for free use by residents.</p>
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Question: During the past two years, the cost of golfing at a public course has increased over 50 percent! Are fees charged for using other public facilities, i.e., soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, swimming pools? If yes, what are the rates, if no, why are golfers discriminated against? Many of the public facilities operate during the night so who pays for electricity? “Green fees” generate income to help offset golf course maintenance expenses, therefore, in all fairness, everyone using facilities requiring maintenance, power, water, etc. should be charged a user fee.

Answer: The city has begun charging fees at certain other recreational venues, although the public policy has been to make most beach and park facilities available for free use by residents. Login for more...