Leaders of local sports groups have many questions in light of possible changes to how recreation facilities are funded.
Last year, a draft bylaw was put on hold, but now talks of a possible rate increase are back.
According to the District of Squamish website, the last fee increase came in 2009, and there has been no formal review for more than 20 years.
Facing wear on a number of facilities as well as an influx of new residents, especially young families, the district is now considering a hike and has been surveying user groups about how to pay for the cost of renovating or building facilities.
The group leaders understand that operating costs go up, especially from upgrades to sites or the possibility of new ones, a prime example being the arena at Brennan Park.
“It’s a 37-year-old facility that is in dire need of upgrades and ultimately replacement,” said Derek Cranfield, president of Squamish Minor Hockey.
Of the outdoor facilities, the turf field at Brennan is widely used by organizations like Squamish Youth Soccer.
“This is a huge community asset that we’re talking about at Brennan Park,” said Squamish Youth Soccer Association president Tim Sjogren.
Members of the soccer association, which represents 900 to 1,000 children, are concerned about the possibility of fee increases on the fields, especially as it tries to keep its costs for children as low as possible.
“We want to see active kids and healthy kids,” Sjogren said. “By increasing the cost, it’s going to make the opportunity less accessible.”
Even now, a number of families in soccer get assistance from organizations such as KidSport in order to play soccer.
Sjogren also said there is some concern that any money from a fee hike might not go back into the field upgrades and could simply be put into a general fund.
For minor hockey, the executive realized about 10 years ago something would have to be done to the aging rink, so the organization set up a contingency fund. In the short term, the fund should allow the organization to hold off raising its registration fees, according to Cranfield.
The volunteers would like to see a broader discussion on how the district can fund maintenance of fields and other facilities.
Sjogren said the discussion should look at all options, such as taxes, fees for events like the music festival or other streams such as sponsorships. Another idea would be to look at volunteer hours or in-kind donations. As well, the soccer association would like clear information about any administrative costs resulting from fee hikes.
The common refrain is that, beyond the need to maintain and upgrade facilities through the community, the groups feel the district needs to set out why cost increases are necessary and how the money would be spent and look at all the options available, especially if it wants to keep sports affordable to kids.
“We’re all on the same page. We want every kid in our community to have an opportunity to play,” Cranfield said.
