Cd'A district mulls rental fees

COEUR d'ALENE - It could soon cost outside sports and activity groups more to play, if they're doing it in one of the Coeur d'Alene School District's buildings.

During their Aug. 2 meeting, trustees will consider whether to increase the price of renting the school district's buildings.

The move affects groups like the Amateur Athletic Union sports clubs that use the district's gymnasiums for basketball and volleyball, church groups and others that rent auditoriums and multi-purpose rooms from time to time.

"The intent is not to make money, it's to cover our expenses," said Steve Briggs, the district's finance director.

The existing building rental price structure was established 15 years ago, Briggs said. Although there have been some minor increases, he said the district has long been subsidizing the costs of the building rentals.

"They're so ridiculously low, we're losing money," Briggs said.

With recent reductions in the district's budget, Briggs said they have to look at all areas where costs can be saved.

The district wants to continue to make these venues accessible, he said but at a price that's fair to everyone.

The city of Coeur d'Alene will continue to use some of the district's facilities for various athletic activities.

"We recently negotiated a joint use agreement with the city," Briggs said. "We'll be receiving $30,000 per year as an impact fee."

That got the district positioned to evaluate all of its facilities use fees.

Because the existing rental prices are so low, Briggs said the new costs will be substantially higher.

The district's "Class 1" gyms, located at Lakes, Canfield, Woodland, Skyway, Fernan, Atlas, the high schools, Dalton and Ramsey now cost $15 per hour to rent. The new fee will be $27 per hour.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts groups will continue to be able to use the facilities for their meetings in exchange for an "in-kind contribution," usually in the form of volunteer services like picking up trash.

For a larger event, like the Pinewood Derby, the group would be subject to a higher event rental fee determined by its size.

The new fee structure will also clarify when the district can charge groups custodial fees.

"We have been working with the groups that use our buildings, and they're agreeable to the changes," Briggs said.