The first fee increase in more than eight years at the Augusta Municipal Swimming Pool, Kelly & Dearborn, will take effect when the pool opens May 24.
The Augusta City Council has signed off on new charges recommended after park board discussion.
Higher fees will not come close to covering pool expenses, but it will offset some costs at this public facility. For years, the Council has taken a quality of life approach to pool operations  and subsidized its expenses in order to make it as affordable to as many users as possible - both young and old.
Family swim passes will increase $5 and swim party fees will go up $10 under the fee plan approved by the Council.
It was noted during discussion the pool party fee hike is related to staffing and cleanup.
The new fee structure is expected to generate between $1,500 and $2,000 for the pool.
A child’s daily ticket will cost $1.75 for boys and girls from age 5 to 12 years old.
The adult daily charge will be $2.50.
A child’s season pass will cost $35 this summer. Forty dollars will pay for an adult season pass.
A family season pass will cost $50 for two individuals. It will rise at $5 increments for each additional person added on.
Swimming lessons will cost $25 for first child and $20 for the second.
The fees for private parties, depending on the number of swimmers, will be $70 (30 simmers or less), $90 (31 to 75 swimmers) and $110 (76-plus swimmers).