The City of Martensville is having second thoughts about a scheduled fee increase for its recreational and cultural facilities in 2021.
A resolution to freeze admission fees and rental rates for the North Ridge Centre, Martensville Athletic Pavilion, Sports Centre, aquatic centre, curling rink and municipal ball diamonds is slated to come before Martensville City Council at its next meeting on Tuesday, December 15.
In May, 2019, Martensville City Council approved a three-year fee schedule for the facilities. The schedule included a 2% hike in rental rates and a 2.5%increase in admission rates for 2021. The increases were slated to kick in early next year.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a monkey wrench into the plan. The facilities were closed for several months, resulting in a dramatic drop in usage and revenue.
A report prepared by Martensville city administration recommends postponing the increases by at least a year, until January, 2022.
Martensville Recreation and Community Services Director Ted Schaeffer told a city council committee of the whole meeting on December 8 that it’s unclear how and when the facilities will be able to regain full usage in 2021. Public health restrictions are likely to continue well into the new year, despite the unveiling of the province’s COVID-19 vaccination program.
During a discussion at the December 8 meeting, councillors appeared to favour the recommendation to freeze rates at their current levels.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty in the community right now,” said Councillor Darren MacDonald. “I don’t think an increase in fees is a good idea at this time.”
Council is slated to vote on the proposal on December 15.