Fees rising at city pools

New paint and a new air system are part of the renovations at Harold Runnels Pool that are contibuting to a raise in admission prices at Harold
Runnels and the Gallup Aquatic Center. — © 2008 Gallup Independent / Cable Hoover

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Kevin Killough
Staff writer

GALLUP — The City Council approved a rate increase at the Harold Runnels Pool and Aquatic Center during Tuesday night’s meeting. Adult and senior fees were increased $1 to $4 and $3 respectively. Children up to 17 years still have a $2 admission fee, and the senior rate applies to police, veterans and firefighters.

According to City Manager Gerald Herrera, the rate increase is the first of its kind since the facilities have been operating, at least as far as he can remember. The move is to help decrease the deficit of the two facilities, which together cost the city nearly $500,000 a year to operate.

The increase will not eliminate the deficit, Herrera said, but it will help reduce the subsidy required to keep the facilities running.

“It’s a start ... It’ll take a little bit of a bite,” he said.
Whether or not the public will pay the inflated price has yet to be seen. The increase may end up decreasing attendance, which will mitigate revenues. Adam Roth said he pays the senior rate and thinks the increase is not worth it for him.

“I think that’s way too much,” Roth said.

Harold Runnels Pool recently completed a $400,000 renovation last May that was approved under the Rosebrough administration. It was the first renovation in 28 years to the aging facility.