There was an increase in attendance at most recreational buildings last year compared to two years ago, an uptick that city administration believes is due to the universal recreation pass.
“The number of people coming through our facilities is up. It’s good to see,” said city manager Jim Puffalt. “The impacts are that the city-wide pass has been well accepted and the programming we put out has (also) been very effective.”
A report on the activities of city hall departments for the fourth quarter of 2019 was presented during city council’s most recent regular meeting. Council voted 6-1 to receive and file the report; Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.
Pool use
There were 33,960 people who used the Kinsmen Sportsplex pool during the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 32,588 during the same time two years ago, according to a report from parks and recreation. The total number of people who used the pool last year was 121,736, compared to 114,758 two years ago.
At the Phyllis Dewar outdoor pool, 14,419 people jumped into the water there during the entire year. In comparison, 15,476 people used the pool two years ago while 19,489 users visited the pool three years ago.
Sixty-six people took out aquatic memberships during the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 13 people during the same time two years ago. This represented a jump of 102.9 per cent. Overall, 140 aquatic memberships were purchased last year compared to 69 the year before.
Recreation passes
The number of recreation pass membership that residents purchased was 332 during Q4 in 2019, while 682 were purchased during the entire year. This does not include the 228 municipal employees who registered for the pass.
Sports arenas
There were 1,669 hours booked at all arenas during the fourth quarter, compared to 1,986 hours two years ago and 2,238.25 three years ago. Overall, 4,051 hours were booked at the arenas, versus 4,531.25 two years ago.
YaraCentre
The number of people who used the YaraCentre turf during the fourth quarter last year increased slightly. There were 11,004 users of the turf in Q4, compared to 10,009 during the same time the year before. Meanwhile, a total of 39,019 people used the turf last year, versus 36,479 users in 2018.
The number of people who dropped in to use various parts of YaraCentre during the whole year last year was 17,332, compared to 11,378 the year before.
A total of 1,442 people purchased a membership to use the YaraCentre last year.
Cemeteries
In 2019 regular burials increased by 40.5 per cent while cremation burials decreased by 12 per cent. However, cremation burials continue to outpace traditional burials year over year as residents choose different options in which to lay to rest their loved ones.
There were 52 regular burials last year and 125 cremation burials, whereas, there were 37 and 142, respectively, two years ago, and 53 and 123, respectively, three years ago.
The next regular council meeting is March 9.
