Active military members and veterans will receive discounts on memberships to use McMinnville Civic Center and Gilley Pool. The cost decrease begins on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The decision to allow a 20 percent discount was made by city Parks and Recreation Committee members. Consideration for the discount began last month.
“At the last meeting you asked to me call other cities to see what they do, so I’ve contacted 14 different departments across the state,” said McMinnville Parks and Recreation director Scott McCord. “Ten of the 14 do not give military discounts. The four do in some way or another. Some of the four are active duty only. Lewisburg and Williamson counties offer discounts for active duty and veterans.”
Discussion turned to who would receive the discount.
“My recommendation would for it to be on passes, not daily,” said Alderman Ryle Chastain. “It would be for currently serving or those being able to provide documentation they have served. They would need to provide a DD-214 or military ID to show they are currently or have served in the United State military – Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. That’s it.”
While active duty personnel would have military ID, veterans must provide documentation.
In attendance at the meeting was veteran Chris Bottoms, who was asked if 20 percent would be acceptable.
“Absolutely,” he said. “We just want to see if we can get anything.”
The discount is for membership packages only. Daily passes are not included in the offer. The discount is for individuals only and not family packages.
Without the discount, individual Civic Center memberships are $30 a month, $150 for six months, and $270 for a year, and a Gilley Pool individual season pass is $85.