MATTAWA — Whether or not to charge Mattawa residents to reserve some of the facilities in Hund Memorial Park, and how much, was the subject of lively discussion at the Mattawa City Council meeting Monday. 

Council members ultimately approved the recommendation from public works employees to charge for use of two covered areas in the park, one with an area that’s been used as a stage. The council did have different ideas about how much to charge, with council member Tony Acosta saying he didn’t like the idea of any fee.  

“My opinion was not to charge,” Acosta said. “I believe the community should have the right to use something that they’re already paying for and not be charged.” 

Other council members, however, were in favor of a fee. Councilman Brian Berghout said cities will ask for reservations for park amenities that are in high demand. 

“A lot of parks do that,” Berghout said. “They like to reserve the (high-demand location) to preserve the spot. You have to reserve it, so no one else can come in.” 

The covered area with a stage was built as part of an upgrade to a city well, and employees recommended charging $60 to rent that for a half day, the equivalent of about five hours. People will be charged $90 for a full day rental. 

Residents can rent the second shelter for $25 for a half day and $50 for a full day. People who reserve the facilities will receive a notice to post at the park with the reservation dates included. When there are no reservations, people can use them free of charge. 

Councilwoman Fabiola Hernandez said she thought the proposed fee was too low. Other venues in the Mattawa area charge a lot more, she said. 

“Half a day is like the whole afternoon,” Hernandez said. 

Council members also approved the purchase of a new slide for the Hund Park playground. The projected cost was about $4,700. 

Public Works Director Juan Ledezma said one of the existing slides is broken and attempts to repair it have been unsuccessful. 

“We anticipated this damage to happen, and with the repair it lasted about a month,” Ledezma said. “Now it’s worse.” 

The playground slides are aging, even without the damage, he said. 

“It hasn’t been replaced in 10-plus years,” he said.  

Playground equipment, said council member Silvia Barajas, is really necessary in a park. “Kids need to have slides,” she said.