Rec Centre fees increasing in McBride, Valemount
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Regional District set its user fees for the Robson Valley and Canoe Valley Recreation Centres during a board meeting last Thursday. The fees, which were discussed with each centre’s community consultation committee, will take effect starting October 1st.
Ice drop-in and skate rental fees are increasing. Adults will have to pay $4.00 per person, as opposed to the previous $2.50 fee, teens will pay $3.00 instead of $2.00, and the rate for families to use the rink is $10.00 instead of $4.70. Instead of having a “parent/tot” charge, which was previously $1.65, children are given free entry, though adults will have to pay $4.00 each. Skates used to cost $1.30 to rent, but will cost $3.00 this winter.
Gym membership fees are also increasing. A one-month membership for adults used to run $32.45, but now will cost $42. Likewise, the six month and year-long memberships – which are $124.75 and $249.40 – will cost $160 and $320, respectively. The fee for using a shower used to be $1.40 and will increase to $3.00.
The Community Consultation Committees for each recreation centre reviewed the draft fees and charges before they were finalized, said Regional District Manager of Communications Hilary Erasmus. She added that the committees will review fees and charges annually.
The new fees come after McBride residents became concerned that the centre would close when the Regional District announced it would hold an open house about the centre’s future. The open house was not about closing the recreation centre, but to get feedback on how residents use the centre and how fees could be increased to accommodate their needs, Erasmus said. The centre will continue operating at reduced hours throughout the summer.
The Regional District will inform residents about the fees through posters at the rec centres, the rdffg.ca website and Facebook page, and by sending notifications to service groups that use the centres, according to Erasmus.
She added that the Community Consultation Committees are planning resident engagement on the services for this fall. The Regional District invites residents with feedback or concerns about recreation centres to email [email protected].
