Rock Hill Raises Recreation Fees for Non-Residents After County Council Ends Equalized Funding

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Non-residents of Rock Hill will see significant increases in fees for city-run recreational programs starting July 15, 2025, after York County Council voted to eliminate the long-standing equalized recreation funding agreement.

For over 20 years, this funding arrangement allowed residents living outside the city limits to pay the same program rates as those within the city. With the Council’s recent decision to discontinue the agreement, non-residents will now face sharply higher prices across youth, adult, and senior programs.

According to the new fee schedule released by Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism, youth athletic program costs for non-residents have nearly doubled or more in many cases. For example:

• Youth baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball, and soccer now cost $135 for non-residents, compared to $65 for residents.
• Tackle football costs jump from $80 to $150.
• Summer camps like “Fun in the Sun” have risen from $600 for residents to $800 for those outside the city.

Adult and senior programs are similarly affected:

• Adult basketball now costs $600 for non-residents, up from $500.
• Tennis memberships show even more drastic increases — an individual tennis membership rises from $250 to $750, and a family membership increases from $375 to $1,125.
• Programs like art workshops and moonlight kayak trips now cost $125 for non-residents, compared to just $25 for city residents.

The City of Rock Hill attempted to preserve the equalized funding arrangement but was unsuccessful. In a letter to participants, Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director Mark Sexton emphasized that the city would not share residents’ personal data with the County, despite a request to do so.

He also encouraged those impacted to contact the York County Manager’s Office at 803-684-8511 to inquire about possible reimbursement options.

City officials have assured the public that the change will not affect the quality of recreational programming, and they hope the fees may return to previous levels if the County reconsiders its stance.

For more information or questions about program registration, residents can contact Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism at 803-329-5620.