(file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Consumer Price Index a factor

Town of Battleford approves increase for rec rates

Mar 21, 2023 | 9:16 AM

The Town of Battleford council approved an increase to recreation facility rates at its meeting Monday.

Administration proposed changes to the recreation facility rates as recommended by the Battleford Parks and Recreation Committee.

The Recreation Committee asked for an increase of six per cent to most of the rates: at the arena, the Alex Dillabough Centre (ADC), and Battleford Flats. The committee recommended most of the rates at the campground remain the same for the next two years.

Budget-wise, the adjustment to rates will mean an expected increase in revenue for the Town of somewhere around $9,000 to $12,000.

“The Parks and Recreation Committee recently conducted a rate review of all the recreation facilities,” Director of Parks and Recreation Jordan Schechtel said. “The committee reviews the rates every two years to ensure they are in-line with other municipalities and reflect current operating costs. Best practice for municipal recreation facilities is to try and achieve 50 per cent cost-recovery through user [fee] revenue and 50 per cent through taxation.”

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In reviewing the rates, Schechtel said, the committee considered increases to staffing, utilities and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the past two years. The committee also reviewed the City of North Battleford’s new rates, and how any proposed rate increase would compare to those of the city. The town also looked at the smaller surrounding communities as well.

Council agreed with administration’s recommendation.

Coun. David George believed the increase should be a little higher for the slo-pitch.

“I understand the city’s are a little bit lower than ours. But I firmly believe that for adults’ slo-pitch that $43.50 is way too cheap,” he said. “I mean we have to put the same amount of effort into the slo-pitch diamonds as we do the softball diamonds. So, I don’t see any reason why they should be that much different.”

George also noted that the town might be “behind the eight-ball” if inflation continues going up next year.

Schechtel said if needed the town could still look at the option potentially of reviewing the rates again in a year, if necessary, instead of waiting for two years.

Coun. Alexis Christensen said she was overall fine with the increases proposed.

“The increases seem modest,” she said. “I’m happy with our facilities. Good work.”

Following the meeting, Deputy Mayor Doug Laing reiterated Schechtel’s point that the user group’s rates need to help carry 50 per cent of the expenses to maintain the facilities, with taxation covering the remaining 50 per cent, to achieve cost-recovery.

“Unfortunately, with the state of the economy, this year’s jump is a little higher I think than some of the last,” Laing said. “But [they] are reflective of the CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase, and what we need to do to be able to maintain that 50 per cent cost-recovery in the facilities that we have.”

Laing added that even though a six per cent overall increase might seem like a lot, for some of the rentals a six per cent increase might only equate to a couple of dollars more. But for something like senior hockey, if it’s a $600 rate, then that extra six per cent becomes a bigger jump.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow