Facility users should brace themselves for fee increases

The message coming from Barrhead town council is clear — in the future, area residents should be prepared to pay more to use recreation facilities.

At least that is my interpretation of some of the discussion town councillors have been having this fall and winter.

The first rumblings about this possibility were in November when representatives of the Barrhead Bowling Association asked council to clarify what its obligations were in terms of building maintenance.

Council told the representatives from the association they realized they will have to put money into the building, but the town needs to look at ways to offset its costs.

It is something the owners (Paul and Chris Driessen) of Pro North Hockey heard again two weeks ago when they approached council about their concerns that they were facing a rate increase that they hadn’t budgeted for. It should be noted that the Driessens realized the need for an increase, as Barrhead’s summer ice rates are among the lowest in the area.

As part of the discussion, council instructed administration to undertake a review of all of its recreation facilities fee structures. When it’s done what are the chances users won’t see a rate increase?

And perhaps that’s the way it should be. As they say you don’t get something for nothing and if the users are not willing to take their fair share of the load then who will?

Unfortunately the truth of the matter is that, it isn’t possible for the users of any recreation facility to cover the operating deficit on any recreation facility. Take the Agrena for instance. It has an operating deficit of about $450,000. How much would ice fees and multipurpose room rentals have to increase to cover that?

Whatever they would be, I am sure it would be out of most people’s ability to pay.

But that being said, something has to be done to make a dent in these deficits.

The town and county agreeing to a long-term recreation agreement would help, but that seems unlikely, as from what I can see neither party have moved off their original stance. Both parties seem to have thrown up their hands and are waiting for Municipal Affairs minister Danielle Larivee to intervene as she said she would do if the town and county didn’t come to an agreement.

It is time she did as the people of Barrhead deserve to have resolution.

However, until or if that ever happens, facility users and ratepayers should brace themselves for a shock whether it is from budget cuts, or increased fees and taxes, or a combination of both.