SHAMOKIN - County residents will see discounts of nearly 30 percent under a proposed fee schedule for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA).
At a workshop meeting Monday evening, the AOAA Authority discussed a proposed rate card presented by chairman Jim Backes.
"We are cheaper than some parks, and more expensive than others, but we hope that we have some fair pricing here," Backes said.
The rate card provides for yearly passes and for one-, two- and three-day visits and allows for children's rates that would apply to anyone 18 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.
A discounted rate was given to Northumberland County residents on nearly all of the categories, except daily passenger rates and child rates on non-yearly passes.
"The thinking all along from all the authority members is that since we are not paying a lease on the county property, the county residents should get a discount," Backes said
The proposed rates are as follows:
Yearly pass - Full size Jeep or truck, $100 for residents, $140 non-residents; ATV/UTV/motorcycle, $70 for residents, $100 non-residents; first child, $40 for residents, $50 non-residents; each additional child, $20 for residents, $25 non-residents; passenger, $25 for residents, $30 non-residents.
One-day pass - Full-size vehicle, $20 for residents, $25 non-residents; ATV/UTV/motorcycles, $15 for residents, $20 non-residents; passengers and children, $10.
Two-day pass - Full-size vehicle, $30 for residents, $40 non-residents; ATV/UTV/motorcycles, $23 for residents, $30 non-residents; children, $15.
Three-day pass - Full-size vehicle, $40 for residents, $50 non-residents; ATV/UTV/motorcycles, $30 for residents, $40 non-residents; children, $15.
All two- and three-day passes must be on consecutive days.
After receiving input from riders, Backes said he wanted to make it cheaper for larger families to come out.
"That will certainly help promote riding at the AOAA as a family-friendly activity," Backes said.
Based on the rates, a family of four county residents who ride ATVs would pay $200 for a yearly pass.
A family of four that doesn't live in the county would pay $275, a rate approximately 28 percent higher.
Backes said the original master plan set yearly passes at $80 per person regardless of residency, so the fee schedule discussed Monday is comparable.
The rate card is scheduled to be voted on at the Dec. 16 meeting, but everyone seemed to be in agreement, except member Barry Yorwarth.
"I think it is too cheap, but if you all think it will work, I'll agree with it. If the math said it will work to keep this place afloat, more power to it," Yorwath said.
Passes for 2014 will be good for a proposed opening of mid-April to May until November.
Other discussions conducted at the meeting will be presented in a future News-Item story.