Norwalk nonprofit seeks Fieldhouse fee waiver as council weighs limited policy changes

The Norwalk Area Ministerial Association asked the Norwalk City Council to consider donating or waiving Fieldhouse rental fees for a 2026 pickleball fundraiser to maximize funds that go to local families in need.

At the meeting, Angie Crowell, who identified herself as representing NAMA, described the group’s year-round human-services work — weekly food pantry distribution, holiday gift drives, and summer meal programs — and said a $1,000 or larger rental fee for a multi-hour tournament could determine whether the fundraising event is feasible. “This support would allow more of the funds raised to go directly into serving the Norwalk residents,” Crowell said.

City staff cautioned the council that the Fieldhouse operates more like an enterprise fund than a community meeting room and that metro municipalities vary in practice. Luke (city staff) told council he found most 501(c)(3) concessions apply to meeting-room or shelter space and that he did not find comparable policies allowing discounted use of enterprise-style recreation facilities. He recommended waiting until the city has at least a year of operating data to understand core usage and revenue before any broad policy change: “I would say probably give me a year before we revisit that,” Luke said.

Councilmembers debated narrower options that could allow one-off charitable events without creating a permanent precedent. Suggestions included limiting discounted access to off-peak days or hours, permitting a fixed percentage of court time for nonprofits, or providing non-rental support such as donated day passes or membership donations. Staff supplied current rates for planning: $65 per court per hour for basketball-court rental, four courts = $260 per hour (roughly $1,000 for a four-hour event).

Council directed staff to place the NAMA request on a future agenda for a focused decision and to return with potential approaches and cost implications at the next appropriate meeting. The direction left open whether the council will approve a single-event waiver or adopt a broader policy for discounted nonprofit access.