Nonresidents of Hollywood Park who wish to rent the city’s community center are now subject to mostly lower rates.

City Council voted on March 15 to approve a new fee schedule at the Voigt Center for nonresidents who may look to use the facility for anything from a business gathering to a party.

The new rates, effective immediately, apply to Voigt Center rentals by those who are not Hollywood Park residents between Mondays and Thursdays.

City officials expressed a desire to revise some fees to better accommodate use of the Voigt Center, specifically residents’ functions during weekends, and to shore up facility rentals as a revenue stream.

According to the city, the nonresidents’ all-day rental fee is being reduced from $2,000 to $1,000, and the refundable deposit is going down from $700 to $500. A full-day rental for residents is $400, and it is free for local community organizations.

Additionally, a four-hour rental fee is being cut from $600 to $400; the fee to go past the four-hour rental timeframe is being reduced from $200 to $100.

“I like the proposed changes for off-peak times,” Council Member Debbie Trueman said.

The city is also assessing how people use the Voigt Center and their frequency of use.

The city offered an online survey between Feb. 22-28, asking residents about the types of happenings they hold or attend at Voigt Center. Residents were also asked about user rates at the community center.

According to City Secretary Patrick Aten, the city received 339 total responses, with 75% of responding resident saying they have personally rented the Voigt Center.

Aten said 93% of respondents have attended an event at the facility, and 53% of respondents attend at least a few functions at the center per year.

According to the survey, about 80% of respondents said they have attended public/community happenings at the Voigt Center, with another 23% saying they have attended a club meeting there.

When asked if any Voigt Center user fees should be raised, 31% of respondents—a plurality of those surveyed—said they would not change any rental rates.

When asked if a full-day rental rate on a weekend should differ from a full-day rental on a weekday, more than 40% of respondents said rentals should cost more on weekends and holidays.

When asked which Voigt Center rental changes should be made, a plurality of 36.8% of respondents said weekend prices should be higher than weekday prices. Nearly 35% of residents called for repercussions for renters who violate the city’s noise ordinance.

When asked whether community groups should incur any charge for using the Voigt Center, a majority of residents—nearly 60%—said such organizations should at least pay a cleaning fee if needed. Nearly 40% of residents said those groups should pay for having alcoholic beverages at the facility—something that is already required by the city.

When asked how much advance notice the city should provide before rescheduling or canceling a reservation, 38.2% of respondents said one month’s notice is adequate.

When asked how much advance notice should be given by a renter to the city before canceling a reservation, 34% of respondents agreed that one month is fine.

Resident and council candidate Wendy Gonzalez said she likes the revised fee schedule but hopes the city continues to prioritize accessibility for community individuals and groups.

“The goal is to leave the center open on weekends for the [Hollywood Park] residents.” city Public Works Director Kelly Cowan said.

Additionally, the city conducted a market community center survey, assessing 10 North Side facilities and hotel gathering venues to see how they compare with the Voigt Center in terms of size and weekday rental fees.

Aten said the rental rate for the 2,000-square-foot Voigt Center is based on a $1.00 per square foot charge, resulting in a $2,000 all-day rental fee.

According to market survey results, renting the Norris Center in Balcones Heights on a weekday would cost $3,800 with catering. Renting a room on a weekday at the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium in Stone Oak would cost $1,100, Aten said.

Rentals at eight other area hotel meeting rooms on a weekday would cost anywhere between $60 and $500, Aten said.