City residents have no problem with digging into their pockets to reserve a shelter area under an ordinance approved last month by Gaffney City Council.

There had been no charge to have an event at a city park. However, there also was no way to ensure that a shelter area would be available, either.

Under the new law, persons or organizations can reserve a shelter area at a city park for a 2-hour period at a rental fee of $25. City Hall Park and Johnny Q. Little Park can be reserved for weddings at a cost of $150.

City Administrator James Taylor said city residents have been receptive to paying the new fees.

“(City residents) are pleased we now have a system in place to reserve a shelter for their use,” he said.

Council members Boone Peeler and Dennis Ramsey opposed the ordinance. Peeler argued city residents already pay a hospitality tax that, in part, pays for the upkeep of parks.

But Bernard Smith, who chairs the building and grounds committee that endorsed the measure, defended the ordinance, saying that other cities charge a rental fee for individuals who want to reserve space at a city park.