City hall will increase fees to use indoor and outdoor recreational venues by five per cent next year, although it plans to freeze membership and admission at 2023 levels.
Derek Blais, director of parks and recreation, spoke to city council during its Oct. 10 regular meeting about the department’s rates and fees policy for 2024.
“We’re seeing excellent attendance and usage (of venues) in 2023 … . We’re currently projected to have over $200,000 in additional revenue, higher than what was budgeted in 2023,” he said.
“That speaks to the attendance increases we’ve seen (in connection with pandemic recovery), primarily at the Yara Centre (and) at the indoor pool. Our rinks also have remained busy and almost fully booked, to be honest.”
Blais’ report noted that current rental requests suggest there could be increased participation levels and usage next year. Moreover, Statistics Canada has reported there has been strong participation in arts, culture, entertainment and recreation services this year, but warns inflation and a decline in households’ discretionary income could affect that.
Parks and rec hopes to achieve a “significant increase” in its cost-recovery levels in managing arenas and other venues, Blais said. This year, that level was 46 per cent, while next year, the department believes that number will increase to 51 per cent.
This cost-recovery percentage is based on projected revenues of roughly $2.06 million, projected expenses of roughly $4.4 million and projected total cost of roughly $2.3 million.
A higher cost-recovery level means city hall relies more on user fees and admissions to pay for upkeep instead of using taxpayers’ dollars to subsidize venues.
The department has “held the line on many … rates” since 2020, and instead of increasing fees, has focused more on increasing attendance, which staff believe they have not yet maximized, he continued.
Meanwhile, the recreation team has done well in creating incentives to attract more people — as reflected in higher membership revenues — such as adding early morning and daytime fitness classes and public skating times, enhancing recreation passes and swimming opportunities and promoting the Yara Centre, especially its new pitching machine.
Staff will continue to focus on those areas in 2024 and also enhance memberships and drop-in activities, add spontaneous programs and pursue extra marketing.
However, the department is facing “some fairly significant inflationary increases” on utilities, the carbon tax, fuel and supplies, which has forced it to increase rates at arenas and outdoor venues by five per cent each while keeping everything else frozen, Blais added.
Blais’ report noted that the department would continue to work with the Events Centre when setting ice rates and operating seasons to ensure a collaborative approach between all city-funded venues. Officials have noticed an increase in requests for spring ice and daytime ice, resulting in more demand for rentals and non-prime-time use.
“There has been a significant growth in arena usage over the past year, allowing cost-of-living adjustments to be implemented as attendance and usage have been maximized,” the report said.
Meanwhile, the department will focus on vulnerable populations and ensure they have access to recreation venues, including continuing free programs for families, youths and seniors.
Blais’ report indicated that, as per Stats Canada, in 2021, the proportion of Canadians over age 18 who met the physical activity recommendations declined by three per cent compared to 2015. Moreover, the biggest decline was among youths aged 12 to 17, who showed a decrease of 14 per cent.
“Cost has always (been) identified as a barrier to participation,” the report added.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Oct. 23.
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