A picture taken during the council meeting on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at the Don Ross Council Chambers in North Battleford. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

By Kenneth Cheung

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

North Battleford approves recreation fee increases through 2028

Feb 24, 2026 | 11:32 AM

North Battleford residents will pay slightly more to use city recreation facilities after council approved annual fee increases of about two per cent through 2028.

City council voted Monday to adopt a new Parks and Recreation fees and charges schedule covering 2026 to 2028. Most rates will rise by roughly two per cent each year beginning in 2026, while the David Laird Municipal Campground will increase by three per cent per season in 2026 and 2027.

The changes follow a comprehensive review completed in 2024 that aligned North Battleford’s recreation fees with comparable municipalities across Saskatchewan.

Administration said the latest adjustments are intended to match inflation and maintain the city’s cost-recovery targets.

City policy aims for recreation facilities to recover between 45 and 50 per cent of operating costs through user fees. The overall anticipated recovery rate for recreation facilities in 2026 is projected at about 58 per cent, though the aquatic centre and field house remain below the target range.

Drive Away Hunger

Farm Credit Canada fights food insecurity with campaign

1h ago

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

North Battleford approves recreation fee increases through 2028

1h ago

Four years of war

Carney pledges $2 billion for Ukraine, more sanctions four years after invasion

3h ago

The aquatic centre is expected to recover about 42 per cent of costs and the field house about 47 per cent, or roughly 44.5 per cent combined.

For most users, the increases will be modest. Some of the key 2026 rates include:

Aquatic centre drop-in rates (2026):

• Child: $6
• Student: $7
• Adult: $11
• Family (larger households): $32

Community facility rentals:

• River Valley Centre large room: $226 per day in 2026
• Access Communications Centre auditoriums: $375 per event in 2026
• Standardized set-up and clean-up fee: $250 across multiple facilities

Campground rates (2026):

• Non-electric sites: $22 per day
• Electric sites (with water): $31 per day
• Full-service sites: $38 per day
• Non-electric monthly stay: $423

The campground increase is tied to a planned review of septic systems, electrical infrastructure and site layouts, with potential upgrades to be presented to council for consideration.

Several program fees, particularly those tied to swimming and lifeguard certification, will remain frozen to maintain accessibility and support recruitment of future staff.

Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the increases reflect rising operating costs and are tied to inflation, matching the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

“It’s just keeping up with that CPI cost so that we can keep that recovery rate in the acceptable level,” she said.

Updated rates will be posted on the city’s website and included in recreation guides, with rental groups to be notified directly of the changes.

—

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com