The Oxford Park Commission Board of Directors proposed a fee increase for the Oxford City Pool, but the request was denied by the Oxford Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, citing concerns over accessibility and a lack of sufficient financial data.

Seth Gaines, director of the Oxford Park Commission, presented the recommendation, which included raising the daily entry fee for ages three and up from $3 to $5, implementing new charges for lap swimming and walking programs and removing the free entry for those 55 and up.

Gaines explained that the increase aimed to adjust for inflation and the anticipated rise in attendance following the pool’s renovation.

However, several aldermen raised concerns about pricing residents out of pool access.

Gaines said since people over 55 have been free, they had not been tracked and didn’t know how many seniors used the pool each summer. He added that OPC has a new point-of-sale system to provide more accurate usage data.

“If we’re only talking about $20,000, I’d rather roll it back and not do anything this year, track that, and look at it next year when we have the numbers,” said Alderman Jason Bailey.

Alderman Brian Hyneman echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the new pool’s popularity might naturally cover the expenses the fee hike aimed to offset.

“When the pool is built, it will be a big hit. You’re going to see a big increase in use,” he said.

The Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to reject the fee increase, opting to revisit the discussion next year once a new point-of-sale system is in place and they have more data to make a decision.

The pool is expected to open in late May.