Sandusky's new rec center: $225 a year for adult residents under proposed rates

Adult Sandusky residents would pay $225 a year or $22 a month at the city's new recreation center under proposed rates that had a first reading before the City Commission Sept. 28.

The center is under construction at 709 Rockwell St. and is scheduled to be finished in July 2027. The city plans to start selling memberships in November, and memberships bought ahead of time would start the day the building opens.

Proposed rates

Resident rates apply to people who live inside Sandusky city limits. Anyone living outside the city, including in Perkins Township, would pay the nonresident rate.

• Adult (18-59): residents $225 a year or $22 a month; nonresidents $315 a year or $30 a month; $10 day pass
• Senior (60 and older): residents $99 a year or $10 a month; nonresidents $200 a year or $18 a month; $7 day pass
• Student (12-17, or in high school): residents $135 a year or $12 a month; nonresidents $165 a year or $15 a month; $7 day pass
• Family (two to six people): residents $365 a year or $32 a month; nonresidents $515 a year or $45 a month; no day pass

A family is a parent or guardian with dependents under 18, or full-time college students under 24, living in the same household, up to six people in all. Staff say the prices are in line with similar providers in the area and that the annual rate is meant to be the best value.

What the building will have

The ordinance describes a 26,000-square-foot gym with two basketball courts, four volleyball courts, a fitness track and a fitness area, plus about 11,700 square feet for locker rooms, storage, concessions, restrooms, activity rooms and offices. Proposed hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

What isn't settled

The rates had a first reading only, so they aren't final until the commission votes on them at a later meeting. The staff memo says membership money will go into the center's operating budget but doesn't estimate how much it expects to bring in, how many members it needs, or what the building will cost to run each year. It also doesn't say whether programs, leagues or rentals will carry separate fees.

The commission approved the construction contract in November 2025.

Source: Sandusky City Commission agenda packet, Sept. 28, 2026 (Regular Agenda, Item 1)