A letter questioning the Mandan park district's policy on senior rates and claiming discrimination has the park board considering some changes.

The board took up Rick Tentis' assertions at Monday's meeting and found there is some inconsistency in their policies regarding senior citizens.

To get a senior discount at the Prairie West Golf Course an individual has to be 65, but to receive a discount for use of the Community Center you only have to be 62. No senior discount is offered at the Mandan Municipal Golf Course.

District Director Cole Higlin said that he wasn't sure why there is a difference. He did a check of Bismarck's recreation facilities and found the golf courses offer a senior discount to those age 65, the YMCA for persons age 62 and at the Capital Racquet and Fitness Center the senior discount kicks in at age 64.

Board member Richard Brucker said he believes the park district should be consistent and should change one of the two senior discount age qualifications.

Board member Terry Kraft said he doesn't believe the senior golf discount at Prairie West should be changed.

"It doesn't make any sense to lower that. We have a hard time paying for stuff the way it is. We can't give up that revenue, otherwise we'll lose the quality of the course," Kraft said. "But we're having a usage problem getting the elderly to use the pool and fitness center at the Community Center, and raising the senior discount age isn't going to help that either."

Tentis had four issues he brought up with the board. First, when he started playing golf in 1979 at Mandan Municipal, the rate for an adult was $50, and it's now $350. Second, is the definition of senior status. He said that the AARP recognizes anyone over 50 as a senior; most restaurants give people age 55 senior discounts. He would like to see the park district provide discounts to people age 60. Finally was the disparity in discounts at the golf course and Community Center.

Kraft asked what kind of fiscal impact changing the senior discount would have on the district budget. Higlin said he was unsure, but could do a survey. He said he also could survey what the other recreation districts across the state do.

Higlin suggested that the board take up the issue at its annual budget retreat, tentatively scheduled for sometime during the week of July 16.

Board president Tracy Porter recommended that the district make no changes until the beginning of 2008.

Board members also heard a recommendation from Higlin to create a new facility manager position at the Community Center. The center currently has four positions to fill and is having difficulty finding a pool manager. The total impact on the center budget would be about $15,000. It also includes a salary increase for a new administrative assistant.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)