By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BLUE ASH - A $7.2 million expansion that would double the size of the city's recreation center and add an indoor aquatics center and suspended running track is worth exploring, council members said.

But some wondered whether families would be willing to pay a steep increase in membership fees.

"My feeling is that there is enthusiasm for an indoor pool, but I'm not so sure there is enthusiasm for an aquatics facility with all the French pastry," Councilman Mark Weber said after ideas for the project were unveiled late Thursday.

Mayor Rick Bryan suggested the city look at ways to save money by sharing ownership of a pool with the Sycamore School District or nearby Raymond Walters College.

Under recreation director Chuck Funk's proposal, half the annual operating costs of $700,000 to $950,000 would be paid by increases in memberships.

Resident family membership costs would jump from $40 to $210, and workers would pay $600 annually, instead of the current $150 fee to belong to the recreation center. Single-family membership would increase from $20 to $105, and single-business memberships would rise from $390.

Resident Kim Glevicky, who has lived in Blue Ash 51 years, questions whether anyone would be willing to fork over so much money.

"An indoor pool might be nice to have for the winter time.

"But do we need all the other fluff?" she said.

"I can see wanting to improve the recreation center ... but will people be able to afford it, especially the businesses, at those high prices?"

Council has asked Funk to look at other options, including a scaled-down version.

E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com