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PARKS LOOKS TO RAISE REVENUES

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Thursday, November 19, 2009 11:06 PM CST

Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Commission is looking to raise revenue.

Talk of increasing cash flow comes after a year where the department took hits in building rentals, RV park rentals and golf course fees due to the summer’s wet weather.

Commission chair Chris Castoro said the department will make its budget for 2009, according to projections.

“It’s going to be tight, but we’ll make it,” he said.

In order to raise revenue during the normally slow winter months, the department is offering membership discounts on its golf course.

The offers are good until Dec. 31.

At the parks meeting Thursday night commissioners voted to give city employees half-off the normal $431.25 membership fee.

Those who sign up before Dec. 31 and are not city employees will receive $100 off the usual price tag.

In other business, park commissioners discussed using the old batting cages at Regional Park.

“I was interested in getting them back up and running,” said commissioner Kami Hunt. “I thought it was a good way to gain some revenue.”

Hunt said there’s also a need for batting cages, which are not readily available in Southeast Arkansas.

The closest, she said, are in Little Rock.

Commissioners asked park director Angela Parker to have the maintenance crew inspect the batting machines and research the project.

“If we can make an investment in that thing and get a return, why not,” Castoro said. “Especially if we can do some work in house.”

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