by Bill Reed, Philadelphia Inquirer

New gym fees designed to hold down taxes could "wipe out" or sharply curtail basketball and cheerleading programs for more than 800 Bensalem children, leaders of three youth groups say.

"If we can't get [the fees] reduced, it will basically wipe out the basketball program," David Tressler, president of Valley Athletic Association, said last week.

The Bensalem school board in June approved fees of $70 to $300 an hour to help cover energy costs for its 10 gyms, including a new high school gym scheduled to open in the fall.