Prices expected to increase for community activities

Eloise GrahamStaff WriterTo offset the spending and revenue gap predicted to occur in Santa Monica over the next five years, the Santa Monica City Council recently passed a price increase on many recreational activities, which will be effective July 1, 2011. The Department of Community and Cultural Services has established specific price recommendations for all of its  services ranging from CREST Youth Sports Leagues to the SMC Public Pool.According to city council member Kevin McKeown, Santa Monica provides a higher level of youth services than other cities do, so the relatively low prices of these activities  makes it hard for the city.“We do so at far lower fee levels than other cities, and continuing to provide those services at current fees was unsustainable,”McKeown said.Students and parents may worry that higher fees will limit their ability to participate in recreational activities, but McKeown says that this will not be an issue.“I was very concerned that raising the fees a bit, while affordable for some families, could be a real hardship for other families with lower incomes, more children or other special circumstances. Staff assured me that we provide scholarships and subsidies for those in need. The fee increases will reduce the load on the City’s General Fund, but young people will not be turned away from our programs due to financial need.”egraham@thesamohi.com