Recently the rates for swimming and other activities at the city pools were raised, in some instances by 30 per cent.
My monthly pass increased by approximately $4.
I believe this cost could have been lowered if all the recreation facilities had undertaken an audit on electricity and water usage.
For instance, do we always need the main foyer and viewing area lights on in the Recreation Center? When the day is sunny, there is enough light coming in from windows and the pool lights.
Further, the biggest user of electricity is the Collicutt Centre. The soccer fields and other areas all had lights on and
no one was using the space recently. The hallway has sufficient skylights that on a sunny day, some of the lights could be shut off.
Perhaps the city departments should look at cutting their expenses by 10 per cent on all out-of-town travel, meals and seminars.
The price of operating the city departments should be examined thoroughly before increasing costs to recreation usage, electricity, water and sewer that are passed onto the taxpayer.
Jean Nichols
Red Deer