Reevaluate Fort Myers Skatium's new fee schedule
The Issue
As a parent and someone who has spent years supporting our local sports programs, the Fort Myers Skatium has always felt like a second home. It’s been one of the few places in our community where families could count on affordable, accessible ice sports and recreational activities. That’s why the recent fee increases and pricing changes have hit so hard. They’re not just numbers on a page — they’re making it difficult, and in some cases impossible, for families in Fort Myers to keep participating in the activities their kids love.
These changes come at a time when families are already stretched thin. With the cost of living rising and inflation affecting everything from groceries to gas, adding significantly higher Skatium fees forces families into tough choices. Recreational activities shouldn’t be the thing that gets cut. They’re important — physically, mentally, and socially.
What makes this even more frustrating is that the Skatium is now one of the most expensive facilities in the area, despite offering no major improvements or upgrades. Nearby rinks and similar recreational centers have managed to keep their fees reasonable, which shows there are other ways to handle this. The city could survey families to understand what matters most, explore other opportunities to generate revenue (such as put in a pro shop), or look into grants and sponsorships to help offset costs instead of passing everything onto families.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about money — it’s about protecting a place that brings our community together. The Skatium has always been more than a rink. It’s where friendships grow, where kids build confidence, and where families feel connected. We’re asking Skatium leadership and city officials to listen to the people who use this facility every day, reconsider the recent fee changes, and restore a pricing structure that’s fair and accessible for Fort Myers families.
Please join me in signing this petition to keep the Fort Myers Skatium welcoming, affordable, and inclusive. Our community deserves recreational spaces that strengthen us — not price us out.
The fees below were pulled out and compared by AI using the the old and amended fee schedules found in the City Council Meeting Notes from September 8, 2026 (which is public record and can be found on the City’s website).
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The Issue
As a parent and someone who has spent years supporting our local sports programs, the Fort Myers Skatium has always felt like a second home. It’s been one of the few places in our community where families could count on affordable, accessible ice sports and recreational activities. That’s why the recent fee increases and pricing changes have hit so hard. They’re not just numbers on a page — they’re making it difficult, and in some cases impossible, for families in Fort Myers to keep participating in the activities their kids love.
These changes come at a time when families are already stretched thin. With the cost of living rising and inflation affecting everything from groceries to gas, adding significantly higher Skatium fees forces families into tough choices. Recreational activities shouldn’t be the thing that gets cut. They’re important — physically, mentally, and socially.
What makes this even more frustrating is that the Skatium is now one of the most expensive facilities in the area, despite offering no major improvements or upgrades. Nearby rinks and similar recreational centers have managed to keep their fees reasonable, which shows there are other ways to handle this. The city could survey families to understand what matters most, explore other opportunities to generate revenue (such as put in a pro shop), or look into grants and sponsorships to help offset costs instead of passing everything onto families.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about money — it’s about protecting a place that brings our community together. The Skatium has always been more than a rink. It’s where friendships grow, where kids build confidence, and where families feel connected. We’re asking Skatium leadership and city officials to listen to the people who use this facility every day, reconsider the recent fee changes, and restore a pricing structure that’s fair and accessible for Fort Myers families.
Please join me in signing this petition to keep the Fort Myers Skatium welcoming, affordable, and inclusive. Our community deserves recreational spaces that strengthen us — not price us out.
The fees below were pulled out and compared by AI using the the old and amended fee schedules found in the City Council Meeting Notes from September 8, 2026 (which is public record and can be found on the City’s website).
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Petition created on September 23, 2026