NORTH BATTLEFORD — Some changes are coming to fees for using North Battleford recreation facilities in 2022.
The changes were outlined in a presentation by Parks and Recreation Director DeNeire’s at North Battleford council Monday.
According to DeNeire, there will be a general two per cent flat rate increase for 2022 for those using its recreational facilities. This would cover such facilities as the field house, the aquatic centre, arenas and others.
Also, the city plans to change away from a per-player per-season fee structure towards a per-booking structure. The intention is for a $26 fee per booking for sports fields for baseball, softball and soccer starting in 2022.
This is designed to bring parity to all the user groups based on use, and become in alignment with the other rates listed, said DeNeire. DeNeire also told council this will potentially increase cost recovery from nine per cent to as high as 20 per cent.
Council voted in favour of both changes, but on the two per cent increase it was not unanimous. Both councillors Kelli Hawtin and Kent Lindgren voted against that portion of the increase, and questioned why the increase was needed at this time.
“I don’t see the justification provided,” said Hawtin, who noted a lot of facilities were either closed or had rolled back hours. “Our facilities were costing us a lot less money than they were a couple of years ago, but that’s because they’re not open as often.”
In his response, City Manager Randy Patrick pointed out if there is no rate increase, the shortfall would come out of taxes, and added their costs and labour had gone up “well over two per cent”.
In the end, council voted 5-2 in favour of the two per cent increase. On the second motion to authorize proceeding with an annual rate review as part of budget deliberation processes, council did vote unanimously in favour.
