community centre user fees
I play with the senior ladies badminton drop in group. This year we had a 46.2% increase imposed on us. One of our members who also plays table tennis calculated that she would now be paying almost $500 per year in user fees.
When the community centre first opened it was decided not to charge fees for senior drop in programs in some rooms but to charge for the auditorium. The community centre has been with us for 6 years now so perhaps it is time to review the pricing model for this facility.
The model of charging high rents to some senior groups and nothing to large numbers of other users– including non-residents coming in to enjoy free programs - is both unfair and unsustainable over the long run. If a small drop in fee of $1 had been charged over $30,000 would have been collected over the past 6 years.
As part of the facilities review, could staff look at models used in other communities such as Stratford, Niagara Falls – and St Catharines that is currently engaging in a discussion with its citizens on how to charge for their facilities. Link to their website below.
<communications@stcatharines.ca(External link)>
The lady in question (a retired 76 yr old single lady) has since dropped out of badminton as she can not afford to pay $500 per year for these activities. This should not be the case in a community centre that aims to be inclusive and a resource for all.