ABS Imposes Gym Fees, New Baltimore Says Time Out

For years, New Baltimore and Anchor Bay Schools have used each others' properties for recreation without charge.

All that is changing this school year, as ABS billed the city a total of $1,428 for renting the gym two hours, four nights a week in September and October. City officials say they did not know until the invoice came in the mail that they would be charged, otherwise they would have approached the recreation programming at the gym differently—such as not offering the adult men's basketball and co-ed volleyball programs there for free.

"It's always been free," New Baltimore Assistant Director Carlos Aprea said. "We've always allowed the schools to use our parks.

"So now the issue becomes: You're going to charge me for this, so we have to charge you for that. It can get messy," Aprea said.

The council voted to table the issue, as Mayor Larry Smith and Aprea are expected to discuss the rental fees with district officials.

ABS Director of Business Services Kyle Anderson was not immediately available for comment.

Some council members said they believed the issued stemmed from the city's decision .

"We didn't bail them out of theso they're going to take their ball and go home," Councilman Jeffrey Christie said.

Although, Aprea said he learned that others, including Chesterfield Township, are also going to face the same gym rental charges from the . 

He said he is waiting to see what steps to make with recreation classes offered at the school and on the district's baseball diamonds until discussions take place.