Irwin officials aren’t backing down from their decision to double rental fees for its ballfields and basketball court this year despite pleas from leaders of the sports leagues.

Irwin borough council members debated Tuesday among themselves and sometimes verbally sparred with representatives of the Norwin Community Athletic Association and the Norwin Boys and Girls Basketball Association over the hike in fees.

They haggled over the decision to raise the rental fees from $10 to $20 a session for this year. They also debated the rationale for the increase and whether the fields and basketball courts would be properly maintained by the borough.

After about an hour of discussion, no one on council gave any indication they would be willing to reduce the increase or postpone the hike to allow for additional talks between borough officials and the Norwin Community Athletic Association on sharing maintenance costs of the ballfields. Several of the issues raised Tuesday were the same as the debate that occurred at a council meeting Jan. 9, when a large contingent of the athletic association members voiced opposition against the rate hike.

The rate hike was approved in November on a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Mike Yunn as the lone opponent. Yunn also voted against the 2023 budget in December that included the hike in rates for a variety of borough services and permit fees.

Derek Kassimer, treasurer for the community athletic association, called on council members to rescind the rate hike, which he said would cost the youth an additional $15 to $20 per season to play.

The athletic association offered to work with the borough on an agreement to maintain the ballfields, but if necessary the association could move its games elsewhere, Kassimer said.

When the fee hike is imposed the athletic association will continue to rent the ballfields at Penglyn Park but not have as many games at Irwin Park, Kassimer said.

“It’s basically a cash grab,” Kassimer said following the meeting.

The fee increase would also impact those 600 boys and girls who play in the Norwin basketball association games, said Nathan Alleman, a board member of the group.

The increase in the price of supplies, maintenance and labor to maintain the ballfields should be paid for by the users, not borough taxpayers, said Councilman Tyler Baum. Rental income from the ballfields was between $8,000 and $10,000 the last few years, Baum said.

Irwin last raised its rental fees in 2018 when a 60% increase was imposed.

Nearby North Huntingdon charges $200 for the season, a cost of about $9 per use, Yunn said.

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