Fee changes recommended for Powell River Recreation Complex

City of Powell River Council will consider adjustments to the bylaw governing fees and charges for parks, recreation and culture.

Director of parks, recreation and culture Tara O’Donnell, appearing at the July 22 finance committee meeting, outlined changes to the parks, recreation and culture fees and charges bylaw, which was adopted in February 2020.

“The reason we are back here today is because the recommended changes are to better reflect projected revenues for years two and three of this three-year bylaw,” said O’Donnell.

In a report to the finance committee, O’Donnell stated that the city has various programs and services offered to the public for which user fees are required. She stated that these user fees generate approximately one-third of the Powell River Recreation Complex operating budget. These fees include swimming, fitness and arena drop-in admission fees, recreational programs offered by the department as well as facility and park rentals.

“Research demonstrates the value in providing active living opportunities to residents,” stated O’Donnell in her report. “Offering accessible user fees, as well as providing low- and no-cost activities, is an important factor to reducing barriers for those living at or below the poverty line in our community.”

Mayor Dave Formosa said that in the report, it stated that staff recommended elimination of the private schools, swim club and private rental rates. The groups would now be considered community youth or community adult groups, the report stated.

In the case of the swim club, this change is consistent with all of the fees and charges offered by the city. Formosa asked if the city was just changing category names in the bylaw. He also asked if this would be affecting rates.

O’Donnell said the intent is that these particular changes will simplify the rental practice for user groups, eliminating categories that add another layer of complexity.

“This should not increase their fees,” said O’Donnell. “It’s meant to simplify the process.”

Formosa said under Evergreen Theatre there is the introduction of a capital development fee for the theatre based on $1 per ticket. It further stated that fees for ticket printing and poster distribution had been eliminated.

“So in the past, we had a ticket cost and we had an additional cost we built in,” said Formosa. “Did we tell the public that was on their tickets? Now, we are going to charge the capital development fee of $1 per ticket.”

O’Donnell said the initiative is to simplify the booking process, where there are layers of charges.

“This is an effort to simplify that so we can bring all of that stuff in with one fee,” said O’Donnell.

Mayor enquires about donations

Formosa then asked about the donations category. The current fee for a commemorative tree with a plaque is $500 and there is a recommendation to increase the fee to $900.

“We’re almost doubling the cost of that particular item,” said Formosa. “Is that because we were going backwards on that one?”

O’Donnell said it is a significant increase. She said the bylaw’s prices were not in line with the reality of what it costs.

“It could be feasible that we move toward that in stages but the reality is that it is consistent with other communities that have similar programs,” said O’Donnell. “It actually does cover the cost of the program. Any kind of increase to any of these recommended changes is really just to bring them in line with costs.”

Councillor questions fee

Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman said she had a question about the Evergreen Theatre ticket fee. She asked if the $1 per ticket fee is for instances where the recreation complex actually sells the tickets for productions. She said there are user groups who provide their own tickets for events outside of the recreation complex.

“I assume that $1 fee is when the recreation complex is selling the tickets,” said Leishman.

O’Donnell said she needed to confirm that. She said she knows it’s a capital development fee for theatre improvements.

Leishman said if it is for tickets sold outside of the recreation complex, it would complicate and be cost prohibitive to nonprofit groups for putting on a production. She said she would appreciate clarification.

The committee voted to send the matter to city council at its August meeting.