There was a mix of opinions on the increase in fees at city-run recreational facilities in Red Deer this weekend. Some people barely noticed, while others fear the extra cost could put the facilities out of the reach of some people in the community.
The City Council voted in June to increase fees as of Aug. 1 at recreational facilities around the city. At the Collicutt, it means a day pass for adults or seniors went up by 50-cents to $8 for adults and $7.25 for seniors, a monthly pass went up by $2.50 for adults and seniors to $40 and $36.25 respectively. A day pass for children between three to 12 increased by 25-cents for a day pass, increased by $1.25 for a monthly pass and by $2 for a 10-visit pass at the Collicutt Centre.
“I don’t like them,” said Kimberly Pikula on Sunday, about the increase in prices at recreational facilities in Red Deer.
She was at the Collicutt Centre for the toonie swim with her daughter Syrah, three and a half. Pikula is a student and so any extra cost can make a big difference to her budget.
In the past the mother and daughter would go a couple of times a week, but Pikula feels they might just go to the toonie swim now. She said $8 is expensive for an adult to get into the Collicutt, especially when they are just going swimming and not using the rest of the facilities.
“It seems a bit steep,” Pikula said. “If I spend all day here I could see the point of $8.”
The steepest increase was to the family passes at the Collicutt Centre, with a family day pass increasing by $4 to $20, a monthly pass increasing by $20 to $100 and a 10-visit pass up $32 to $160. Despite the increases, many feel the Collicutt Centre continues to be a great deal.
Peter Rady-Pentek was there on Sunday with son, Charles, three.
“It’s not a big deal,” he said. “It’s necessary to maintain the building and the facility. It’s still a good deal. They have to keep up with inflation.”
He said the minimal extra cost is worth it to keep the facility as nice as it is.
Kim and Carla Stenvig were at the Collicutt on Sunday. The couple are from B.C. and are visiting family in Red Deer, with their son Noah, four.
“It’s our first time here,” Carla said. “We just said how cheap it is compared to B.C.”
She said normally it would cost $10 to $11 to go swimming back home.
The increased fees didn’t seem to stop people from using the Recreation Centre on Sunday. Adult rates went from $4.50 to $4.75 for a day pass at the Michener and Recreation Centre. The family pricing went from $9.60 to $12 for a one-day pass.
Trish MacSween, of Red Deer, was dropping by to go swimming on Sunday. She said the fee increase isn’t substantial and she believes there is a procedure in place to help people who can’t afford the extra cost.
The city’s Recreation, Parks and Culture department has the CARE Program, which assists individuals or families living in Red Deer who are unable to afford basic registration or activity fees and also has access to the Canadian Tire JumpStart Program for children and youth.
MacSween uses a monthly pass and plans to continue to swim regularly.
Larry Merkel, of Red Deer, was also dropping by the Recreation Centre for a Sunday swim. He wasn’t impressed with the fee increase and is scared it could mean some people won’t be able to use the facilities, especially youth.
“I didn’t think it was too great,” he said. “It would be nice keep them down and keep kids out of the 7/11 and the mall and crap.”
He said it’s better that the young people are at the Recreation Centre or other city facilities than out smoking and drinking somewhere. Merkel said despite the increased cost he will continue to use the Recreation Centre.
sobrien@www.reddeeradvocate.com