'This can't happen' - Cape Coral parents fight plan to dramatically increase youth sports fees

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINIK) — A plan to dramatically increase fees for youth sports leagues is facing fierce opposition from parents who warn it could force some programs to shut down. 

Cape Coral said it faces a $1.6 million budget shortfall in Fiscal Year 2027, if the millage rate remains unchanged. On Tuesday, council members will consider three options to make up the difference - including an 80% increase to Parks and Recreation program fees. That covers athletics, vendors, camps, and dock fees.

The council will discuss the option during a budget workshop on Tuesday. It is scheduled to come before the council again during it’s regular meeting on Wednesday. Some parents said they feel blindsided. 

Cape American Baseball President Deanna Livingston said the program wouldn’t be able to “function” under the proposal. More than 400 families are part of the league. Livingston said she was “flabbergasted" by an email from the city on Monday that said fees could increase from $2,080 to $24,002. 

"Be realistic,” Livingston said through tears. "It's not about the project. It's about the kids. Like, do it for the kids. This can't happen.”

The email, from Cape Coral’s deputy director of Parks and Recreation, said fees would be assessed based on how long the organization uses the field. 

"The intent is to move toward full cost recovery for field usage,” the email said. “Including lights, water, sewer, and other facility-related expenses.”

Other groups received similar messages on Monday. The Cape Youth Football Association said its fees would increase from $1,500 to almost $12,000 under the proposal. Association President Ashley Affourtit said registration prices would have to double for families. 

“Our registration prices are as high as we want them to go right now, without causing more stress on our families,” Affourtit said. "And then this just completely blindsided us and has put a big dent in our budget for next year already.”

The Cape Coral Soccer Association called on parents to oppose the measure during Tuesday’s meeting. The group said it’s annual fees are expected to go up by $53,463.

“Our mission is to provide a safe, affordable and positive youth soccer program,” the Association’s president posted on Facebook. “An increase this large could directly affect registration costs and the opportunities we are able to provide our children.”

Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter said he opposed the fee hike in a Facebook post on Monday night. The mayor said he would advocate to remove the item from Wednesday’s agenda. 

“Our parks are an important community asset, and families should continue to affordable access to them,” Gunter said in a statement. “I believe this proposal sends the wrong message at a time when many residents are already concerned about the cost of living."

There are other options on the table, according to a presentation for council members. Another proposal would kill plans to replace athletic field lighting at the Northwest Softball Complex. The $1.5 million project would replace missing, aging, and obsolete light fixtures. It would also leave an internal auditor position unfilled, according to the presentation. 

A third option would replace revenue with interest earnings. However, that would depend on when the interest materializes. 

Parents said they plan to oppose the fee increase at Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 2:00 p.m. 

"Our parents have created second homes outside of this,” Affourtit said. "They have given their kids more of an opportunity to make more friends, to create more relationships - lifelong relationships."