Community Corner

Readers React: Residents, Nonresidents Unhappy with Rate Increase

The nonresident daily rate and season pass pool rate increase has many up in arms on our Facebook page.

With Bangert Pool and Koch Family Aquatic Center charging more to nonresidents, residents and nonresidents alike have expressed their views on the issue on the Florissant Patch Facebook page.

Last week, Florissant City Council approved an amendment to raise the nonresidents daily rate and seasonal pass for the pools. The new prices go into effect July 1.

Once the story was posted, unincorporated North County residents as well as Florissant residents spoke out on the matter.

Find out what's happening in Florissantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Christine Conroy wrote, “I grew up in Unincorporated St Louis County and spent many summers at these pools do to the convenience and the low cost even for a non-resident. I am now a Florissant resident and I do enjoy the luxury of the low resident fee. Unfortunately, I do think these large increases will deter many individuals to find a different way to cool off during the summer. I think the increase is pretty substantial for what the parks actually offer.”

Adam W. Smith wrote he has bought a season pass as a nonresident in past years, including this year, but he said he won’t in the future.

Find out what's happening in Florissantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Unfortunately unincorporated residents do not have a pool or water park that we may pay 'resident rates' in order to use,” he wrote. “I am not certain that raising non-resident rates will resolve the problem. This may inadvertently cause a loss of revenue if non-residents spend their money elsewhere.”

Many residents and nonresidents suggested that the new rates will cause people to seek a new pool.

Michael Branch posted, “Thats pitiful. Its not like Koch is the greatest (sic) thing ever. For that much i will hit up Aquaport or just head over to Raging Rivers and make a real day of it.”

Cassandra Nichole also wrote, “I'm a unincorporated Florissant resident but I will not pay double price at Koch park its not worth it , but I will pay that amount for white birch it's bigger better and I offer a more variety of fun.”


What are your thoughts on the pool rates change? Do you think that less people will come to Florissant pools?



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Florissant