BATTLEFORD – The Town of Battleford will notice an increase to some of its recreation rates starting this spring.
Recreation administration recommended a 4.5 per cent increase for the majority of user fees at the Arena and the Alex Dillabough Centre.
Jordan Schechtel, the town's parks and recreation manager, noted the user rates for the Arena, the Alex Dillabough Centre, Battleford Flats, and the Eiling Kramer Campground were last reviewed in April 2023.
"Recreation administration, along with the Parks and Recreation Committee, conduct a bi-annual review to ensure rates reflect current operating costs and remain competitive with comparable municipalities," he said in his report.
The town's policy is that the Parks and Recreation Board be requested by town council to establish a policy of cost recovery as a target when setting rental rates.
"Best practice for municipal recreation facilities is to try and achieve at least 50 per cent cost recovery through user revenue and 50 per cent through taxation," Schechtel said.
Over the last two years, these four recreation facilities experienced the following cost recovery rates, for the per cent of expenses recovered through user revenue:
- Arena: 50 per cent;
- The Alex Dillabough Centre: 47 per cent;
- Battleford Flats: 45 per cent; and
- Campground: 87 per cent.
"A bi-annual review conducted by recreation administration and the Parks and Recreation Committee revealed that while the Campground achieves strong cost recovery, the Arena, Alex Dillabough Centre, and Battleford Flats fall below the desired 50 per cent target," Schechtel said.
When reviewing the rates, the town's Parks and Recreation Committee considered such factors as staffing and utility cost increases over the next two years, consumer price index fluctuations since 2023, and a benchmark comparison with rates in North Battleford "to ensure competitiveness."
As a result, the committee recommended a 4.5 per cent increase for most user fees at the Arena and the Alex Dillabough Centre.
At the Battleford Flats, the Committee decided that some of the rates were below market value and needed to be adjusted based on specific dollar amounts, instead of a percentage increase.
Campground rates were deemed fair and competitive, so they would stay at their current levels. However, the site booking fee would increase from $3 to $4 to offset rising costs related to the software provider.
"The committee and administration believe the proposed changes strike a balance between maintaining facility sustainability and minimizing the impact on users," Schechtel said.
He noted the proposed changes would result in $10,000 to $12,000 in additional revenue between all four facilities and help balance "facility sustainability with affordability for users."
Council approved the proposed recreation fee changes, which go into effect on April 1.
