Cortland Youth Bureau to Implement Non-Resident Fees For Cortlandville Residents

Residents of the Town of Cortlandville who wish to participate in recreational activities offered by the City of Cortland Youth Bureau—including programs, events, and access to Wickwire Pool and Yaman Beach—will now be required to pay a non-resident fee.

The change comes after City of Cortland Youth Bureau Director Andrea Piedigrossi confirmed the update to X101 News. She said the fees follow the Town of Cortlandville’s decision to withdraw from a long-standing shared services agreement with the city, as well as the villages of Homer and McGraw, for recreation services.

According to Piedigrossi, Youth Bureau staff have attended numerous Cortlandville board and budget meetings since 2025, advocating for the continuation of the agreement, which had been in place for more than 40 years.

“We expressed the value of the partnership, shared data, and the impact it has had on families throughout the community,” Piedigrossi said. “We are, of course, disappointed with the outcome.”

Cortlandville residents have long relied on the City of Cortland’s Youth Bureau for recreational opportunities, as the town does not operate its own programming or facilities. Through the shared agreement, the town’s annual financial contribution helped offset costs for residents participating in programs and accessing facilities.

In 2024, the Town of Cortlandville contributed $86,820, followed by $83,077.80 in 2025.

With that funding now discontinued, the Youth Bureau says it can no longer subsidize services at the same level for non-city residents.

As a result, non-resident fees will be implemented for programs, events, and aquatic access, including Wickwire Pool and the Yaman Beach inflatable obstacle course.

“Unfortunately, this means these services will now come at an increased cost to Town families,” Piedigrossi said. “This was not a decision made lightly, but one necessary to ensure the sustainability of programs for City taxpayers while still keeping opportunities available to the broader community.”

Membership details for the Youth Bureau’s aquatic programs—including non-resident fees, registration information, and ID card requirements—are expected to be released later this month.