Dublin raises pool and recreation center fees, removes school district discount

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Dublin is increasing the price next year for passes to the city's recreation center and pools, along with interment service fees at the city cemetery.

City council passed an ordinance on Nov. 18 to raise the price of resident day passes to outdoor pools from $10 to $11 for children age 3 to 17 and $11 to $12 for adults. Guest of resident day passes will similarly increase, from $12 to $13 for children age 3 to 17 and $13 to $14 for adults.

A season pass to outdoor pools will also go up from $285 to $300 for a resident family of four and $605 to $635 for a non-resident family of four. Annual passes to the Community Recreation Center are increasing from $720 to $755 for a resident family of four, while the price for a non-resident family of four is going up from $1,990 to $2,090.

Dublin's ordinance eliminates discounted "school district resident" fees for families who don't live in Dublin but are within Dublin City Schools boundaries. For example, a family of four within the district's boundaries could previously get an outdoor pool season pass for $590 and an annual pass to the recreation center for $1,210.

Those families of four wishing to get a recreation center pass will need to pay the non-resident price of $2,090, while a resident family of four can earn access for $755. The changes take effect next year and are being made to "maximize service levels for Dublin residents," city manager Megan O'Callaghan wrote in a memo to city council.

"Staff recommends implementing a resident and non-Resident pricing structure and removing school district resident rates for DCRC memberships, outdoor pool passes and athletic field use fees," wrote O'Callaghan. "Additional modifications not required by way of this ordinance will be implemented in 2025 to maximize priority access for Dublin residents to recreation programs,
community events, and amenities."

Internment services at the city cemetery will increase by $100. The fee for weekday services is going up from $555 to $655, while the after hours and weekends price is increasing from $815 to $915.

Dublin also amended the price of several fees attached to the city's development-approval process. A final review for a proposed residential project in a planned unit development is increasing from $3,550 to $4,495. A certificate of zoning board approval for commercial and other properties is going up from $210 to $305.