Council approves corporate membership fee for James E. Russell Sports Center amid equity concerns

The Sandpoint City Council on March 4 approved a resolution adding a corporate membership pass to the James E. Russell Sports Center fee schedule: a $1,500 annual pass that covers four employees and the option to add unlimited additional employees at $300 per person, with guest rates adjusted for events.

Director Jason Welker, who presented the item, said the corporate pass is modeled from other facilities and intended to help grow membership toward a sustainability target of 300 members (the center reported about 250 members). Welker said many likely users will be pickleball players and that a modest corporate incentive will attract employees who otherwise would not become members.

Public testimony and council debate focused on fairness and pricing. Kevin Plunder, a downtown business owner, urged tabling the proposal and called for clearer cost and revenue estimates and staffing implications. Iris Harrison and others questioned the size of discounts for county or out-of-county permit holders. Councilor Kyle Schreiber and Councilor Pam Duquette expressed concern that corporate passes could disadvantage city residents and suggested a universal group discount available to any group that purchases multiple passes.

Council President Deb Rule moved approval; Councilor Joe Spiro seconded. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote (Yes: Torres, Espiro, Ruhl; No: Duquette, Schreiber). Council members and staff said the policy can be revisited after a trial period and the council asked staff to consider alternate group‑rate structures for future consideration.

The corporate pass is now in the city fee schedule; staff will implement the administrative procedures and report back to council, including any necessary adjustments after the initial period.