Benton Parks Committee discuss nonresident fee for River Center

During a recent meeting of the Benton Parks Committee, committee members discussed making a change to day passes for the Benton River Center.

The committee approved a suggestion by Benton Parks and Recreation Director Stephanie Jones to increase the prices of day passes for nonresidents from $5 to $10. The prices for individuals living in Saline County will stay at $5, Jones said.

The increase in price will now go to the full Benton City Council for final approval.

This change for nonresidents comes after the Benton City Council voted to suspend day passes for 30 days because of recent situations.

Jones said during a meeting earlier this month that a fight broke out July 31 during a pick-up basketball game at the River Center, just one of several recent incidents of violence.

“It came to blows,” Jones said. “There was blood on the court. At some point, from what I’ve heard from our staff, a person went to their backpack and pulled out a weapon, pulled out a gun and then from there, people were running out the front door, running out the back door.”

Jones also told the council that there have been 10 to 15 documented violent incidents recently and other smaller incidents that the Center was able to handle on its own without having to involve the police. Most incidents have occurred after 5 p.m. and on the weekends.

While speaking with the committee Monday, Jones said that she does not want to defer people from visiting the center but she also wants to keep everyone safe.

“We want our River Center to be a destination,” said Mayor Tom Farmer. “This is a fair price to begin with, and we can adjust the prices as we see the need.”

Along with the change to day passes, Benton police officers for the time period will also be working off-duty as security at the center and the staff will make a copy of the visitors’ driver’s licenses, so individuals can be identified if there is an issue, Jones said after getting feedback from the committee.

Also during the meeting, the committee approved a proposal for the resurfacing of the tennis courts at Tyndall Park and a five-year leasing contract for fitness equipment.

Jones also noted that because of COVID-19 the department is struggling with staffing. If this continues, operating hours for may have to be changed.