ATHABASCA — Leadership on the board of the area’s largest joint recreation facility will remain the same for another year following the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society (ARMS) board organizational meeting.
Athabasca County councillor and 2023 chair Ashtin Anderson was renamed as head of the board during their Nov. 18 gathering after receiving the only nomination for the role. Town councillor Jon LeMessurier was also selected as vice-chair again after his was the only name put forward.
Anderson’s county counterpart, Camille Wallach, was named secretary treasurer, a position she also held during the previous year.
Following the cessation of nominations, Anderson returned to her usual spot beside multiplex manager Rhonda Alix for the remainder of the meeting, which included an update on facility usage over the month of October, current and potential programming, and purchasing and capital priorities for the upcoming year.
Usage and programming
Overall, attendance at and usage of the facility was down slightly in October compared to 2023, with a grand total of 5507 guests this year compared to 5867 last year.
While almost 50 more rink users and 122 additional swimmers were logged this October, no curlers were noticed using the ice last month, and the gym saw 120 more guests in 2023.
Alix noted usage numbers can fluctuate depending on who’s tracking the guests that enter and exit, but all front desk staff have been instructed to keep a close eye on the number of users.
But the biggest drop in usage came from fieldhouse numbers; 2023 saw 915 locals and visitors take advantage of the indoor gym space, but in 2024, that number dropped to 499. According to Alix, the lion’s share of the reduction likely comes from a higher number of event bookings and student fluctuations in the local schools.
“I think it’s because the number of classes are different,” Alix told directors. “Last year, they would host three classes, and we would have one, or they would host four classes at Edwin Parr Composite, and we would have one, that’s not happening this year.”
Regular drop-in programming like pickleball, yoga, and spin classes are all a-go, and ice sports like hockey and figure skating are well underway. Curling season officially started in mid-October, junior curling began Oct. 30, and the Athabasca Curling Club will be preparing to host their Little Rocks program in January.
Alix also noted admin staff applied for the New Horizons for Seniors grant program from the federal government this year with the hopes of continuing their Free Seniors Day on Thursdays.
The initiative was started last year after the town donated their New Horizons grant funding to the multiplex. Both the town and the Athabasca Seniors Centre Society applied for the grant again in 2024, and directors and admin are hopeful the number of applications will increase the likelihood of approval.
“Engaging quite a bit with seniors in this community, there’s very positive feedback in relation to this grant and what’s offered,” said LeMessurier.
Capital priorities
After directors and admin whittled down their list of 2024 capital projects during budget discussions last year, three out of five have been completed.
Duct cleaning at the multiplex and fire system repairs at the Nancy Appleby Theatre both came in under budget; a little more than $12,000 was spent on duct cleaning, originally slated at $15,000, and the fire systems repair came with a price tag under $7,000 compared to the $8,000 allocated.
The installation of wheelchair accessible doors for the aquatic centre was also completed to the tune of $10,000, covered by grant funding.
Regular maintenance roof and fieldhouse floor repairs remain capital priorities for the facility, slated to be tackled in November and December, respectively. The photovoltaic solar project is yet to be crossed off the project list, estimated to cost more than $2.5 million, pending grant approval.
Directors also voiced frustrations around the public announcement and amplifier system, a device many said has been problematic during large events like the recent Remembrance Day ceremony held in the fieldhouse.
“If this is the first time it had happened, I think that’s one thing,” said director Brian Hall. “But this is the fourth year that I can remember it’s been a mess, and I just think we can perform to a higher standard.”
Administration agreed to bring an update on options for replacing or fixing the system to an upcoming meeting.
