CHELSEA – The Chelsea Community Center will convert to a membership exclusive format for its athletic facilities effective Jan. 2, 2019.

Since its opening in 2015, the center has operated free to the public.

The change was announced on Thursday, Nov. 15, by Mayor Tony Picklesimer, who cited growth, safety of visitors and staff, and availability as the primary factors for the decision.

“We had large groups coming from neighboring cities and counties and filling up the basketball court so that our kids had no room to play,” Picklesimer said. “One of the biggest issues is a matter of security. We need to know who is in the building.”

Picklesimer said the decision was not a financial one, pointing to a membership rate for an individual that equals just more than $6 a month.

Officials wanted to ensure the center was available to residents of Chelsea and Shelby County.

Each member will be issued a badge that will be required to enter the gymnasium, exercise room and walking track.

All other areas of the Chelsea Community Center will continue to be free access for meetings, parties and different events that are scheduled at the facility.

Membership will not be required for room rental, and rental fees will remain unchanged.

Also, the membership format will not affect sports programs offered at the facility, including the basketball and volleyball leagues, and archery events.

An annual single membership will cost $75 (dues can also be paid semi-annually) for a Shelby County resident or $125 for an out-of-county resident.

Family memberships (for head of household, spouse and dependent children up to age 18, unless child is in school up to age 25) will cost $125 for Shelby County residents and $175 for out-of-county residents.

A day pass will cost $10.

Free memberships will be granted to active duty and retired military personnel, Shelby County residents age 65 and older and city of Chelsea employees and their immediate family.

Memberships can be obtained in person at the Chelsea Community Center or online at Chelsea.recdesk.com.

For more information, call the center at 677-2052.