It looks like the usage fees for nearly all public facilities in Ashiya City will be going up from July 1.
Screenshot from the official Ashiya City website: Revisions to Usage Fees, Service Charges, and Other Fees
The changes will affect most facilities regularly used by residents, including the Gymnasium and Youth Center, Civic Hall, community centers, Shio-Ashiya Exchange Center, Asahigaoka Park swimming pool, Seaside Park heated pool, and bicycle parking facilities.
Here are a few examples:
- Civic Hall, Main Hall (weekends and holidays, evening): ¥58,660 → ¥70,390
- Gymnasium, Arena (evening): ¥24,480 → ¥29,370
- Gymnasium, Training Room (per visit): ¥360 → ¥430
- Seaside Park Heated Pool, single adult admission: ¥810 → ¥970
- Asahigaoka Park Swimming Pool, single adult admission: ¥480 → ¥570
- JR Ashiya Station North Bicycle Parking Facility (bicycle, B1 level, three months): ¥5,600 → ¥6,720
Overall, the fees appear to be rising by around 20%—a pretty significant increase.
The price hikes also appear to cover the community centers, Uchide Education and Culture Center, neighborhood meeting halls, Ashiya Civic Activity Center, Gender Equality Center, extended childcare at municipal kindergartens, Senior Welfare Hall, Welfare Center, and sports facilities at municipal schools and kindergartens.
↑ Notices about the fee increase have also been posted at bicycle parking facilities. Apparently, the current rates will apply if you complete your renewal by June 30. If you have a parking pass, be sure to renew it soon!
At the Ashiya City Museum of Art & History and the Tanizaki Junichiro Memorial Museum of Literature, usage fees for lecture rooms and other facilities will increase, but the maximum admission fees will remain unchanged.
Fees for the municipal Ashiya Onsen will also remain unchanged for now, as it will most likely cease operating as a city-run facility at the end of this fiscal year.
Interestingly, the fees for Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 at the Welfare Center (Community Welfare Division) will actually be reduced slightly.
A complete list of the revised fees is available in an official PDF from Ashiya City, so check it out if you’re curious about the new rates for a facility you use!
In Closing
This change may sting a little for people who rent these facilities for club activities or lessons. It’s probably a good idea to check the new fees for the facilities you use.
公共施設の値上げ、どう思う？
