The Parks and Recreation Subcommittee of Lowell City approved a revised fee schedule to govern tournament and special-event rentals of city fields, voting 3–0 to recommend the changes to the full council.

The schedule sets a flat additional charge of $1,500 per day for tournaments on synthetic fields and $225 per field per day for non-synthetic fields, Mayor’s subcommittee members were told. The handbook also raises the custodial charge from $150 to $200 per four-hour block, sets a trash-removal/disposal fee of $200 per pack per day (waivable if the renter physically removes the trash), and establishes a lighting fee of $100 per four-hour block in addition to the field rate.

Madam Chair (Speaker 2) told the meeting the fees separate the field rental from add-on costs and are intended to make requirements clearer. "So the synthetic field per field, the additional fee will be based on permit needs. It's $1,500," the chair said during the presentation of the schedule.

Councilors and board members pressed staff on operational details. Staff said custodial charges are billed in addition to the field fee and that the number of custodians or police officers assigned to an event will vary with expected attendance; large events have previously been referred to the police department when attendance exceeds roughly 75 people. "If the tournament is going to be bigger than just your typical tournament and they have to have more custodians, then they'll adjust the fee as needed," a parks staff member said.

Several councilors and at least one board member argued the city should route rental revenue back into park maintenance rather than the general fund. "These parks could need maintenance … this is one revenue stream that should go back to the parks," an unidentified councilor said, noting the city has invested about $11 million citywide in park infrastructure.

The handbook clarifies waiver rules for nonprofits: waivers for 501(c)(3) organizations apply only to Lowell-based nonprofits that serve Lowell residents; out-of-town 501(c)(3)s would not automatically receive waivers. Staff also said proof of liability insurance will be required with permit applications; the subcommittee discussed a municipal minimum for coverage.

The policy text includes enforcement language: groups found in noncompliance may be fined an amount determined by the board and face a one-year restriction on future permits. Staff recommended collecting certificates of insurance and, in some cases, collecting deposits or refundable holds to guarantee cleanup and compliance.

Board members and councilors praised the years-long work to standardize the rules. "The work that you've put in is incredible compared to where we were in the beginning," one councilor said, thanking staff and board members for the revisions.

An unidentified councilor moved to accept the new fee schedule; the motion was seconded by Eric Gitcheid. The clerk recorded Councilor Mercia, Councilor Belanger and Councilor Gichia voting yes. The subcommittee will forward its recommendation and the meeting report to the full city council for final consideration.

The subcommittee adjourned after the vote.