Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Council on Thin Ice over User fees

By 250 News

City Council has approved changes to user fees for aquatics, and arenas.

On the aquatics side,  effective January 1st,  the cost of  ten lessons for pre-schoolers or  other children will  go up three dollars, and the cost per private lesson for a child will  go up $1.50.

On the Arena side,  the good news is, there is no change in user fees  this season for adult hockey and no increases planned for rec or minor hockey  for the 2006 2007 season., but  there is a three year plan to bring rates in line with the provincial average.

Starting May 1st 2007,   rates  will change as follows:

Adult summer hockey - individual rate was $107, will increase to $110.  Team rate will  go from $1300 to $1400

Drop In Hockey - new rate will be $8 per drop in , $70 for ten sessions

2007/2008 - fees will be increased to the  market averages noted  in 2005/2006.  If the fee is already at the market average it will be boosted by 2.5%

2008/2009 - fees will be increased by about 2.5%  spring and summer ice rates will be  discontinued, and the 10% discount for summer ice if booked for periods of 8hours or more, will be discontinued.

Councilor Glen Scott  is dead set against the fee increases saying, for the arenas in particular, rates are going up, and may be too costly for many people so participation will drop.

Mayor Kinsley says people tell him they don't mind paying more  but the facilities  are deteriorating.  Manager Diane Rogers says  many of the upgrades are not visible. but for instance the upgrade on the Kin Centre iceplants was $600 thousand dollars, but that means the change rooms and the lounge  didn't get  upgraded.

Councilor Dezell noted the responsibility  for capital expenditures rests with Council.  Mayor Kinsley agrees, saying there will have to be debate one day on finding the funds to upgrade those facilities.
Previous Story - Next Story



Return to Home