Rates are going up for use of city facilities operated by the Shuswap Recreation Society.
At its Jan. 8 meeting, City of Salmon Arm council received a report from the Shuswap Recreation Society’s new general manager, Darin Gerow, regarding user fee and rate increases proposed for 2024. He explained the new rates, overall, reflect a 3 per cent increase – in line with the Consumer Price Index – and will begin Feb. 1.
As drop-in fees are commonly paid with cash, Gerow noted that to keep payments simple, an effort was made to round the increase fees out by 25 cents.
A breakdown of the user fee/rate increases shows, for use of the SASCU Recreation Centre pool, single admissions for adults (19+) going from $6.25 to $6.45, for seniors (60+) and students (13-18) from $5 to $5.15, and for a family (max 5) from $13.50 to $13.90. For Aquafit, the single-pass rate for adults will increase from $7.50 to $7.75, and for seniors and students from $6.25 to $6.45. Rate increases are similar for single admission for public skating/shinny at Shaw Centre.
Multi-use passes covering 10 and 30 single user visits will be available for drop ins. Gerow said these represent a 10 per cent discount and expire a year from the date of purchase.
Gerow said the last rate increase, seven per cent in 2022, was the first increase since since 2018, adding staff continue to monitor rates at other regional recreation facilities “in order to maintain equity and reduce the likelihood that users will travel to neighbouring communities to use facilities.”
Though no motion was required of council, Coun. Kevin Flynn gave his support, adding “I hope we do keep our eye on what other people are doing around the area and remain competitive, and hope at some point we consider differential pricing, but that’s another discussion for down the road.”
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