City raises fees for sports leagues, tournaments

By Dave Toplikar

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 | 4:04 p.m.

It's hard to get away from Las Vegas' down economy even on a pastoral sports fields -- residents will soon have to pay more to play in Las Vegas city leagues and tournaments.

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved fee increases for certain leisure services programs as part of efforts to deal with the city's $80 million revenue shortfall.

The fees of leisure service programs, which hadn't gone up for most programs since 2004, will sustain the services and programs in light of a budget shortfall.

The fee increases were set up to provide the least effect on services that all residents are able to use, such as public parks and pools, according to the city. They were also designed to have minor effect on an individual participant.

Fees will go up for leagues and tournaments, the Safekey before- and after-school program and season camps.

The fee increases for fall leagues will go into effect in August. Winter camp fees will increase in December. And the tournament fees will go up in January 2011.

Here is a roundup of the fees:

• The Youth Leagues fee per team will double, from $100 to $200, or an increase of 69 cents per player, per game, based on an average of 12 players and 12 games.

• Adult and Third Party Leagues will see their fees double from $110 per season to $220, or 76 cents per player per game, based on an average of 12 players and 12 games.

• Nonprofit sports tournaments will have a new fee, which will amount to 43 cents per player, per game, base on an average of 17 players, playing four games in a 200-team total.

• For-profit sports tournaments will have a new fee of 55 cents per player per game, based on an average of 17 players, playing four games in a field of 200 teams.

• Safekey program fees now range from $4 to $35. The new fee would vary according to the site, ranging from an increase of $1 to $6, or an increase of 28 cents per hour based on an average 25-hour week.

• Youth Seasonal Camps (summer and holiday) will have fees increased from $65 per week to $75 per week, or an increase of 18 cents per hour, based on an average 55-hour weekly camp.

• Specialty camps. Fees will increase from $100 to $110 per week, or an increase of 28 cents per hour based on an average 55-hour weekly camp.