EVERETT — It will cost a quarter more to swim at Everett’s public pool next year.
The parks department again approved a fee increase for Forest Park Swim Center, effective Jan. 1.
The proposal would increase the youth and senior admission fee to $3.25 and the fee for other adults to $3.75.
Most everything is going up by a quarter, with a few exceptions including the family discount, which will cost $8.50 instead of $8, and pool rentals, which are increasing to $149 from $139.
The parks director made the decision after a series of public meetings and after the parks board recommended the increase.
The parks department has raised fees at the swim center every year since 2008, part of its plan to nudge prices up gradually rather than springing one big hike on users, said Lori Cummings, assistant director for Everett Parks &Recreation.
Don’t expect prices to go up every year, she said. Parks staff study the issue each year, including a comparison among what other pools in the area charge.
Here are some comparisons of what other area pools charge for adult admission: Lake Stevens, $2.75; Marysville, $3.25; McCollum Park, $4; Lynnwood $4.50; and Mountlake Terrace, $4.75.
Last year, paid attendance at the swim center was 70,000 and 6,800 people registered for swim lessons or aquatic fitness programs.
User fees pay for about half of the cost to run the pool. In 2011, that total cost was $788,500.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com
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