School Board Increases Building and Turf Rental Fees for Outside Groups

Fees for renting district buildings and football fields are 13 to 17 percent higher, but the increase only applies to groups that do not feed directly into high school athletic programs.

The Mehlville school board voted the increase at Thursday’s meeting and changed the motion from the original proposal to increase fees for all groups.

Fees for district football feeder programs will stay the same and rentals for civic groups like PTOs and Boy Scouts are free.

The change came after Bob Franey, President of the Mehlville Junior Panthers Football and Cheer Association, asked the board to consider a sliding scale when renting the turf field at Mehlville High School for groups comprised of Mehlville students.

“As our costs increase, we are forced to pass these costs onto our participant families and this has created a burden that has begun to impact the ability of some kids to participate in the program,” Franey said.

The Junior Panthers represent about 150 boys and girls in middle schools that feed into Mehlville High School. They are a nonprofit organization and also provide support for the varsity football team.

A committee of residents established the rental fees in 2007, which have not been increased since, Chief Financial Officer Noel Knobloch said.

Board member Mark Stoner suggested keeping the current rates for the feeder groups and using the proposed new rates for outside groups.

“I feel very strongly that our taxpayers paid for these facilities once and we’re going back to them to increase some of the fees, so really what I would like to do is have the board consider something alternate,” he said.

The board agreed and passed the increases 7-0.

Knobloch said the district collects $225,000 annually from rentals and the increases will generate about $15,000 more, a 7 percent increase.

Added utility costs and custodian overtime motivated the increase, Knobloch said. Practice field fees will stay the same.

Below are the current and increased rates:

Gym Fees

Monday-Friday: $26 to $30

Saturday and Sunday: $132 to $160 

Turf Fees

Outside Groups: Monday-Sunday: $415 to $500 for four hours

Feeder Groups: Monday-Friday: $195 for two hours (no increase)