Squamish's recreational fields' maintenance bill is double that of the community's ice arena, but pulls in only one-twelfth the revenue.
On Jan. 7, during the District of Squamish's 2014 municipal budget discussions, council waded into the murky water of subsidizing recreation. The town's lawn bowling lane topped the municipality's per-user list, costing taxpayers $692.19 per regular participant per year.
But what got councillors' tongues wagging was the district's $409,578 field maintenance bill $216, 715 more dollars than ice arena costs. At the same time, the fields raise approximately $12,340 per year in rental fees, compared to the arena's $148,218 in revenue.
I would certainly like to see a significant revenue increase on the fields, Coun. Patricia Heintzman said. It is almost ridiculous how little revenue we are getting.
A fee increase could be staggered over a number of years, she suggested, adding she would like it fall in line with ice-user subsidies.
Coun. Ron Sander agreed. The conversation needs to be put to residents, he added, noting taxpayers must decide to what level they want to subsidize the different activities.
It is not going to be a pleasant conversation, Sander warned. It is going to be a real slugfest.
The district needs to put money aside for the two-year-old turf field's eventual surface replacement, Coun. Susan Chapelle said. To make that happen, municipal officials have to start collecting some kind of fee, she said. District staff noted the soccer associations have given verbal agreements to pitch in.
The district's report doesn't account for regular upkeep costs on Brennan Park Recreation Centre's building, Coun. Doug Race noted. Comparing something within a structure and outside of a structure is like comparing apples and oranges, he said. As such, pitting the different activities against one another holds no benefits, Race said.
I never expected to make money out of recreation, he said, adding the programs are about community wellness.
The cost to maintain the municipality's current level of recreational services is an estimated $900,000 a year. A review of the district's facilities' fees is set to come before council before the end of this month.
