Some Arlington Hts. Park District fees up, some down

The Arlington Heights Park District has increased rates slightly for some classes and camps, cut golf course fees and kept as many fees as possible the same, said Jim Glueckert, director of recreation and facilities.

Many of the increases are designed to give teachers a raise, he said.

All of the pool passes and pool entrance fees will remain the same as 2009, although some of the swimming lessons are going up about 3 percent.

An example of an increase is at Kaleidoscope day camp for preschoolers, where the cost will increase by $2, to $219. A two-week session for elementary students will cost $273, up about 2 percent.

Other increases are for preschool and infant classes, the dance program and in athletics.

Golf at Nickol Knoll Golf Club drops 50 cents for nine holes on weekdays to $11, and seniors fell even more to $9. Fees are the same for residents and nonresidents at this course.

At Arlington Lakes the fee fell a similar amount for nonresidents and stayed the same for residents.

Golf courses are competitive with other communities and are self-supporting rather than being supported by taxes, said Glueckert.

The plan is to eventually get the fees the same for residents and nonresidents at Arlington Lakes, which will make cash management easier for district staff.

"We tried to hold the line on fee increases," said Glueckert. "Our residents are burdened by the recession, too. We are trying to weather the storm and really need to watch our expense line."