Users of the Yara Centre should probably review the venue’s booking and usage policy after the parks and recreation department updated the document to ensure it remained current.
The department made several changes to the policy, which city council approved during a recent meeting.
One change focuses on equipment used during turf drop-in periods. Parks and rec sets drop-in times that allow for spontaneous, multi-use and shared activities — but using equipment that only the Yara Centre supplies.
When developing schedules for the next season, the department will meet by April 30 with prime tenants first to review those schedules. By June 1, all rentals will be booked on a first-come, first-serve basis, with users able to make a deposit on the contract.
Furthermore, the venue now closes on Victoria Day, May 24, and Labour Day, Sept. 6. These days join Dec. 24-26 and 31, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day and Saskatchewan Day in August.
Another update sees the minimum booking length set at 60 minutes to prevent users from ending a booking 30 minutes before closing time. This will eliminate non-rentable time.
A fourth change is the removal of meeting room rentals because those spaces are no longer rentable.
Also, birthday parties are now non-refundable, which mirrors the language around the turf rental policy. Similarly, language has been updated around cancellations due to power outages, with users able to reschedule their events based on availability or receive a refund.
The department will issue refunds by cheque within two weeks after the booking’s cancellation.
The department amended the rental terms, which now state that bookings that need extra time for turf set up and that interfere with other rentals will be charged for the time; this equipment cannot interfere with groups that have already reserved the field. Previously, there was no cost for setup affecting other rentals.
The policy’s language has been changed with rentals requiring a lift, which reflects the City of Moose Jaw’s safety practices. If users require a lift machine, they must acquire approval from the department first and submit proper certifications.
Also, users will be allowed access to change rooms 30 minutes before the actual rental only if the schedule allows.
Meanwhile, hitting balls toward the curtains, roof or lights is prohibited unless users use approved indoor regulated balls, while pitching machines may be used outside the batting cage area.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, June 26.
