Ankeny ends $50 cabana shade rental
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Cascade Falls Aquatic Center. Photo: City of Ankeny
Ankeny is ending its cabana rental program at Cascade Falls Aquatic Center, effective immediately, city manager Mike Schrock shared during the council meeting Monday.
Driving the news: This summer, families visiting Ankeny's city-owned Cascade Falls found a new $50 price attached to the sought-after amenity.
- Councilman Justin Hollinrake tells Axios that several council members wanted to end the rental program following public feedback and criticism on local Facebook groups.
- "We have experienced unanimously negative feedback," Hollinrake says.
State of play: For $50, groups could reserve a cabana that included four loungers, two chairs and a shade canopy from noon to 7pm.
How it started: The idea was prompted by the Ankeny City Council's directive to city staff to find ways to cut expenses and generate new revenue sources, city spokesperson Amy Baker told Axios in an emailed statement.
- The projected annual revenue for the cabanas was $7,500, Baker said. Rentals started June 13, and the city collected around $2,850.
- Twenty-two other shade facilities are available at the pool, and additional chairs were added this summer. Pool-goers can also bring their own chairs.
The bottom line: Councilman Dustin Graber says the city could operate the cabanas similar to how it operates park shelters, in case someone wanted to reserve space for a planned party.
- "I wouldn't want it to be operated where someone shows up and they're like, 'It's so packed, there's no shade, here's 50 bucks, kick everybody out,'" he said.