Town Council approved the 2020 fee schedule at the January 27 Special Council meeting. This year’s schedule will see the majority of fees held at 2019 rates.
“Council and administration have worked hard to keep any increases as low as possible with the majority of increases being kept below inflation,” said Mayor Heather Colberg.
While Council had hoped to leave recreation fees unchanged, the level of subsidy by taxpayers for all recreation is significant and Council believes in facility efficiency and user pay.
There will be a 2 per cent increase to Recreation Access and Facility Rental Fees. These include the Aquaplex and BCF admission & membership fees: ice and ball diamond rentals as well as conference/room rentals.
For example, an adult multi-facility drop-in will increase by 25 cents and an annual adult multi-facility pass goes up $1.10 per month. Senior multi-facility drop-in goes from $9.25 to $9.50 and an annual senior multi-facility pass will increase from $437.50 to $446.25 an increase of $8.75 which equates to 73 cents a month.
“Recreational fees charged help to offset the cost of running programs and facilities,” explained Darren Goldthorpe Manager of Recreation, Arts and Culture. “We offer ‘Toonie’ programs, free public skating and we are currently re-examining the Fee Assistance Policy in order to offer opportunities and ensure affordability is available where needed, to help access recreational activities.
The new fees will come into effect on Saturday, February 1, 2020.
