News

Alexandria wants to increase rental fees at these city-owned facilities

By James Cullum
The swimming pool at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus, May 29, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s about to get more expensive to have fun at city-owned properties in Alexandria.

On Wednesday, April 30, the City Council will consider approving rental fee increases for several of the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities programs.

The council will also approve its Fiscal Year 2026 budget on Tuesday night and vote on items that include stormwater fee increases and other measures that use taxpayer money to generate city services.

If approved, the fee increases will take effect on July 1.

Some increases are modest, such as charging $50 to use audio equipment at events. The city also wants to increase rates at the Chinquapin Rixse Memorial Pool, from $25 to $30 per hour for Alexandria residents and nonprofits, and from $45 to $55 per hour for non-residents and businesses.

The largest rental increases are at the new Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility.

The city wants to charge visitors the following:

Proposed fee increases for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities programs (via City of Alexandria)

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.