West Hartford Council OK's Fee Hikes For Aquatics Center

WEST HARTFORD, CT — It is getting a bit more expensive to use West Hartford's Cornerstone Aquatics Center.

But given how inflation is impacting all aspects of daily life, the $1-per-month membership fee hike approved by town officials recently is being touted by leaders as being reasonable.

The West Hartford Town Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, Feb. 10, to increase most monthly membership fees by $1 at the Cornerstone Aquatics Center, 55 Buena Vista Road, citing rising operating costs at the town-owned facility.

The resolution passed 8-0, with Deputy Mayor Debra Polun absent. The motion to adopt was made by Councilor Tiffani McGinnis and seconded by Councilor Lisa Lazarus.

The new fees will become effective on March 1.

In a Feb. 10 memo to the council, West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith said the Leisure Services Department reviews rates annually “to remain competitive within the region, to increase efficiencies or to absorb increased operating expenses.”

Cornerstone operates under the town’s Leisure Services Fund, a special revenue account intended to cover all operating costs.

Fees have not changed since September 2024.

Since then, operating expenses have increased, including a 3% annual rise in the town’s contract with Health Fitness, which operates the facility, and an 8% increase in minimum wage.

Utilities, chlorine, and other operating costs have also risen, according to the memo.

The approved changes include a $1 monthly increase for individual and family memberships. No increase was approved for senior resident memberships.

Under the new rates, effective in fiscal year 2026:

• Individual resident memberships will increase from $44 to $45 per month.
• Individual non-resident memberships will increase from $64 to $65.
• Family resident memberships will increase from $56 to $57.
• Family non-resident memberships will increase from $79 to $80.
• Senior non-resident memberships will increase from $57 to $58.
• Senior couple non-resident memberships will increase from $70 to $71.

Senior resident individual memberships will remain at $37 per month, and senior resident couple memberships will remain at $44.

Cornerstone’s membership grew to 5,812 members in fiscal year 2025, representing 2,064 membership units — up nearly 2% from the previous year.

As of January 2026, more than 2,100 membership units use the facility.

Membership revenue generates approximately $1.2 million annually. The $1 increase is expected to produce about $24,700 in additional revenue, according to the town manager’s memo.

For the minutes of the Feb. 10 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For the full fee hike resolution, along with financial information, click on this link.