Funding Community Recreation

Approved Fees and Charges Bylaw

On Tuesday, May 17, 2016 District of Squamish Council approved the amendment to Recreation Services Fees and Charges bylaw.

Effective June 1, 2016 there will be a number of notable changes to fee related items throughout Parks and Recreation Services.

Some Notable Changes:

• Age definition changes: Child 5 to 12y from 6 to 12y and Senior 65y+ from 55y+
• Rates for annual passes have been reduced.
• Enhancements made to the Financial Assistance Program (Recreation Access Pass).
• NEW! Grade 6 Get Active Card: Students in grade 6 are eligible for free admission to public swimming and skating.
• Local non-profit community groups that are regular renters at a Recreation facility receive free use of the Garibaldi Meeting Room.
• Marketing: 25% of advertising revenue will go to a recognized program that supports financially disadvantage youth play sports.
• NEW! Get Active 55y+ Card: 10% discount at Brennan Park and 15% discount for Seniors’ Centre programs and rentals.
• Introducing non-prime rates for room rentals.
• 50% rate reduction for Seniors’ Centre room rentals during current regular hours of operation.
• Seniors’ Centre society to receive 3 free evening and 6 free regular hours of operation rentals each year.
• Annual 12 month pass holders receive a 5% discount on recreation program fees.
• Artificial Turf Field fees introduced.
• O`Siyam Pavilion rental - free for local non-profit community groups.
• Field Fee: youth per player fee introduced.

View the complete bylaw>>

View specific sections of the amended bylaw:

• Definitions
• Admission rates
• Rental rates:
• Brennan Park Recreation Centre
• Squamish Seniors' Centre
• Parks
• Grade 6 Pass and Recreation Access Pass Programs
• Get Active 55y+ Program
• Cancellation and refund

Overview

Recreation Services supports and promotes active lifestyles by building programs, partnerships and places for all that inspire skill development, creativity, leadership and fun.  We believe that recreation is a vital public good that is essential to mental, physical, and social well-being and we strive to ensure that all community members have access to affordable, quality recreation and parks services.

The majority of Squamish’s Recreation facilities require significant upgrades and are approaching or are at their user capacity. Our community is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the upcoming 5-10 years especially with many young families moving to Squamish.

To maintain the same level of service, Recreation and Parks revenue must increase to match the increased cost of expenditures such as utilities, increased maintenance cost on older facilities, and increased labour costs.

The current Recreation and Parks fees and charges structure has been in place for over 20 years without a formal review.  Historically the District has adjusted fees on an ad hoc basis to reflect current priorities and inflation.  The last fee increase of 7% in 2009 was applied to all rentals, admissions and campground fees to adjust fees closer to the cost to provide the service.

A market survey of Lower Mainland and similar communities identified that Squamish Recreation fees are consistently below market range.

In 2013, Council directed staff to implement a Fees and Charges Policy and to develop a Park (Fields) Fee Model for based on the newly developed Fees and Charges Policy.

View the Current Parks and Recreation Fees and Charges Bylaw

View the Draft Bylaw presented to Council in 2014

Community Participation

Squamish’s last fee increase for Recreation and Parks was in 2009. In order to maintain the same level of service due to increasing cost of utilities, and maintenance on the aging infrastructure, Squamish wants to proactively involve the community in discussing options to generate new revenue and implement a fee increase in line with the following Values and Objectives:

Values

1. Ensure a fair and consistent rate-setting practice that reflects both the means and demands of our community
2. Encourage effective and frequent use of services and facilities
3. Ensure affordable and accessible recreation services for all social and economic groups, families and individuals in our community.

Scope

Objective 1

Revenue needs to increase in order to maintain the current level of service (without raising taxes disproportionately).

• Develop a moderate incremental fees structure to bring fees in line with other similar and neighboring  communities over 3-5 years.

Objective 2

Equity needs to be achieved between what the various user groups pay.

• Introduce a moderate fee to Youth Field Groups using artificial turf, grass and gravel fields.

Objective 3

A procedure needs to be developed to deal with the issue of blanket bookings:

• Transition to an hourly rental rate for sport fields by 2018.

Objective 4

Explore new revenue opportunities

View Project Timeline, including opportunities for public to provide input>>