Recreation Fees and Charges Review

On April 24, 2024 Council adopted the Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 2944, 2024

The fees contained in the amendment bylaw were determined based on the Recreation Fees and Charges Framework which was adopted by Council in June, 2022:

The updated facility rental and user fees will apply to indoor rentals, including non-profit organizations, private renters, and commercial businesses.

The new fees take affect on September 1, 2024.

Updated fees will apply to the following spaces:

Lewis Centre
Tsolum and Salish Buildings
LINC Youth Centre
Florence Filberg Centre
Native Sons Hall
Valley View Clubhouse
Lawn Bowling Clubhouse
Bill Moore Park Clubhouse

The park and field booking and use fees will not change and will be reviewed in 2025.

Key impacts:

Generally, minor, senior and indigenous non-profit organizations will see reduced rental fees.
Fee increases for adult non-profit organizations would generally be aligned with inflation, with some exceptions for specialized spaces.
Private events such as weddings, parties and fundraising events, whether by non-profits or private individuals, will no longer receive tax-subsidized rental rates and will generally see an increase in rental fees.
Commercial for-profit events will no longer receive a subsidy, in accordance with the B.C. Community Charter which prohibits local government assistance to a business. Commercial for-profit uses will be charged a cost recovery rate plus 25%.
Staff have reviewed other local government rental and user fees in similar-sized communities and facilities.
The proposed amendments would spread any significant fee increases over a five-year period for all categories except commercial uses.