BURBANK CLASS, RECREATION FEES MAY BE RISING.

Byline: Susan Abram  Staff Writer

BURBANK - Residents would have to pay higher fees for recreation programs - some as much as double - and some events could be eliminated under a plan to offset $450,000 in state funding cuts.

The proposal by the city parks department would increase fees for swim classes at McCambridge and Verdugo recreation centers, programs at the Joslyn Adult Center, and summer camp programs. Tickets and parking rates at the Starlight Bowl also would go up, along with fees for using city ball fields.

``We wanted to balance the budget so there wasn't one area that was hit harder than the other,'' said Mike Flad, director of the city's Park, Recreation and Community Services Department. ``One of the ways we did that was trying to increase revenues.''

The projected $450,000 in increased revenues would amount to more than a third of the department's $1.3 million budget. The proposals must be approved by the City Council before taking effect.

Open swim fees would double from $1 to $2 for kids 12 and under, $1.50 to $3 for those 13-18 and $2 to $4 for adults. Senior swim fees and those at the senior center also would double from $1 to $2.

Competitive swim programs might be eliminated from October to April, based on low attendance.

After-school programs at eight paid sites citywide would go from $110 to $115 a month.

Classes at the Olive Recreation Center, which range from $20 to $50 for a nine-week course in art, dance and other activities, could increase by 10 percent. Those costs have not been raised for two years, Flad said.

Ticket prices at the Starlight Bowl would increase from $5 to $7 for adults, who make up about 65 percent of the audience, and parking would jump from $2 to $5.

One concert and two children's concerts also might be eliminated.

Jane Conger of Burbank, who makes ceramics at the Olive Recreation Center, was outraged at the prospect of higher fees.

``It's atrocious - there are already people who can't afford this,'' Conger said. ``(The community center) should not be a source of revenue for the city of Burbank. It's not for profit.''

Others, though, expressed a willingness to pay the higher cost.

``It's still very reasonable even if it's doubled,'' said Peggy Nielsen of Glendale as she played cards at the Joslyn Adult Center.

``But if people can't afford it, then they shouldn't have to pay,'' said her husband, Ben.

Flad said his staff has proposed that some adult sports programs and those for nonresidents be cut, based on a lack of participation.

``With each fee, we looked at a bunch of things,'' Flad said. ``We surveyed our customers. We surveyed other service providers. We looked at what services are already being provided by the community. We looked at affordability.

``When you look at the big scheme of things, the increases are still really reasonable, and still affordable.''

While the increases might surprise residents, Flad said other cities are in worse shape than Burbank, adding that his staff tried not to eliminate programs.

``The state budget crisis is more serious than people realize,'' Flad said. ``The good news is our No. 1 goal is not to reduce programs, or reduce the quality of them. We do have a well-run city. We're really conservative in spending. We are in much better shape than other cities.''

Staff Writer Nick Grudin contributed to this report.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Pottery students like Jane Conger will be affected by the increased recreation fees proposed by the city of Burbank under a plan to offset $450,000 in state funding cuts.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer