Some members of the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society are alarmed at a 2013 budget overrun of about $88,000, while others are less disconcerted at the state of multiplex finances.
“In my opinion, the multiplex is treading water,” said Mayor Roger Morrill at last Tuesday’s town council meeting.
The mayor said the multiplex and other facilities under its umbrella are already approximately $44,000 over budget for 2013 where the town’s share is concerned, with more numbers yet to come in that will not paint a rosier picture.
The county is responsible for the other $44,000; however, multiplex society chair and deputy reeve for Athabasca County David Yurdiga said he is “not overly concerned” about the budget overrun and doesn’t consider it to be one of the largest in the multiplex’s history.
“The cost of doing business has gone up for everyone in the region,” he said. “We’re not totally out of line … but the bigger thing is we have to look at making sure we provide a good service to the community.”
Morrill stated the blown budget could easily translate into a 1.5- to two-per-cent tax increase, though he noted final numbers need to be reviewed.
Pool admissions alone are down about 20 per cent this year over last year, he said. In 2011, general paid pool admissions were $48,000; in 2012, they brought in $44,000; and in 2013, the admissions totaled $37,000: $10,000 less than what was budgeted.
“There truly is a reality check,” he said.
Councillor Steve Schafer wondered if pool conditions might have played a part in the downward trend.
“This is not a pretty picture when we’re looking at driving for a new pool,” said Schafer.
Morrill said the multiplex manager is going to investigate pool operations.
Yurdiga said some of the budget overrun was due to unexpected costs, not just overestimated revenues.
Morrill said every Athabasca resident subsidizes the multiplex to the tune of $180 per year.
Yurdiga said due to the county’s larger population, the cost per capita for county residents is less when it comes to the multiplex; however, county residents also support a rec facility in Boyle and groups in other, smaller communities.
In an effort to reduce the 2014 budget deficit, the multiplex society will raise multiplex fees.
Councillor Gurba said a fee increase has not happened since 2010 and that the increases will be staggered.
“We were on the low side compared to most other municipalities,” said Yurdiga. “What we’re looking at is bringing it up to be competitive with other facilities in the surrounding area.”
He said a number of the increases will not happen until September.
“We’re going to be conscientious of user groups, and we don’t want to create any financial hardships for them,” he said.
Yurdiga said he couldn’t give out specific numbers for the new fees yet, as county council has not yet seen the 2014 budget.
“Some of the fees will be right away, but they’re not significant — that’s just for your drop-in fees and that sort of thing,” he said.
Even with the fee increases, the multiplex will still run at a deficit — just a more predictable one, ideally.
“Any rec facility that I know of, people wouldn’t be able to go if we had to charge cost recovery,” Yurdiga said.
He added the multiplex is more than just a rec facility: he believes it is an economic driver that attracts businesses to the company, and of course, a community centre.
Morrill said this year’s budget is looking to be higher than last year’s.
Looking to 2014, Yurdiga said the board has selected a new energy provider and will find savings there.
“We don’t want the cost to the municipalities to go out of whack,” he summed up.
