ENGLEWOOD — At its May 14 meeting city council passed a resolution to approve a new rental fee schedule for the Earl Heck Community Center, 201 N. Main St.

The existing rental fees have been in place since 2007. The ‘Heck Center’ as it is commonly referred to, hosts numerous classes, programs, and activities for the community.

It also serves as a rental hall for weddings, birthday parties, graduation parties, family reunions, baby showers, business meetings and other functions.

“Due to the rising costs of utilities and other operating expenses, I believe we should investigate raising the rental fees to help offset some of these expenses,” said Ryan Kruse, director of human services in a memo to council.

“We are currently significantly less expensive than the other rental halls in the area,” Kruse noted. “In fact, some of the other reception halls around are charging two or three times the amount that we do. Even with the increased new rental fees, we would still be a very affordable rental space for the community to use.”

The resolution established the following fees for use of the Earl Heck Community Center:

Group 1 – Local (local means Englewood residents) public service organizations which involve and significantly contribute to the welfare of the general public population. Weekdays – first two hours – no charge. Additional hours – no charge. Weekends – first two hours – $20 – per hour (minimum $40). Additional hours $20 per hour.

Group 2 – Instructors, non-profit/special interest groups serving the community (Group serving the community means organization or activity predominantly comprised of Englewood residents and having local leadership). Weekdays – first two hours – $10 per hour. Additional hours – $15 per hour. Weekends – first two hours $35 per hour (minimum $70). Additional hours $30 per hour.

Group 3 – Other non-profit groups, local religious instruction / worship (Local means Englewood residents). Weekdays – first two hours – $40 per hour. Additional hours – $25 per hour. Weekends – first two hours – $50 per hour (minimum $100). Additional hours $35 per hour.

Group 4 – All others, including private parties and profit-making groups and individuals: Weekdays – first two hours – $50 per hour. Additional hours – $25 per hour. Weekends – first two hours – $100 per hour ($75 for Englewood residents) with a minimum of $150. Additional hours $50 per hour.

A charge of $50 deposit shall be assessed when a facility is used pursuant to a permit to serve alcoholic beverages. This is a non0refundable fee in addition to any deposit required.

Any part of an hour shall be considered an extra hour.

According to the information provided to council, other local rental fees consisting of weekend rates for other area facilities are as follows:

Meadowbrook at Clayton – ballroom (300 people), $1,050 – $1,500 for five hours. $2,600 – $3,200 all day Saturday or Sunday with a 20 percent discount for Clayton residents.

Meadowbrook at Clayton – Laveris Room (80 people), $550 – $750 for five hours with a 20 percent discount for Clayton residents.

Vandalia Senior Center – $100 per hour ($60 per hour for Vandalia residents).

Torch Event Center, 12 N. Walnut St., Englewood, $160 – $210 per hour.

Sage Event Center, 606 Taywood Rd., Englewood, $100 per hour.

American Legion Post 707, 200 W. National Rd., Englewood, $600 per event.

Celebrations Hall, $300 first four hours, $50 per hour each additional (minimum four hours). Weekend wedding receptions $3,000 all day.

Christena Leiber Center, Brookville, $260 per event (residents), $280 non-residents.

Reach Ron Nunnari at (937) 684-9124 or email [email protected].