Town officials discussed increasing arena fees, effective next year, for local and non-local youth and adults, during the governance meeting on Feb. 11.
Surrounding communities are considering increasing their arena user fees as well, some even by 15 per cent, said Jacci Hager, the town's manager of community services.
Sundre mayor Annette Clews announced at the meeting that ìit's timeî to increase the user fees, because there hasn't been an increase in the last two years.
Coun. Cheri Funke agreed because she said arena users have been expecting an increase.
However, she said the increase should be reasonable, considering people could go elsewhere for ice time.
Coun. Chris Vardas also agreed to increase the fees, but not by more than $5 an hour. Therefore, he made a motion to discuss this option at the next council meeting, which was passed by council.
The Sundre arena fees for local users are currently $70 an hour for youth and $110 an hour for adults, said Hager.
The last fee increase was effective in January 2012. Previous to this increase, the local user fees were $64.03 an hour for youth and $101.37 an hour for adults, she said.
For non-local users, the fees are $95.40 an hour for youth and $129.66 an hour for adults, which have not been changed since before the last increase, she said.
ìMost of our users set their registration rates at the end of their season for the following year, therefore the 2013/2014 registration fees would be set in approximately April of 2013,î she said, in a report to council.
She recommended that if council does agree to increase the fees that they do so no later than March, so the users will have fair notice before registering for the following season.
ìA survey of 10 communities, four being within the county and six outside, shows that with the exception of Rimbey, the Town of Sundre rates are the lowest by at least $3.50 an hour for youth,î explained Hager.
ìWith the exception of Rimbey and Caroline, the Town of Sundre rates are the lowest by at least 25 cents an hour for adults,î she said.
According to her research, within the 10 communities, youth rates range from $60 an hour to $165 an hour and adult rates range from $100 an hour to $208 an hour, she said.
As for town costs, the projected arena expenses for 2013 are $491,003, with expected user fee revenue of $116,870, she said. The difference of $374,133 is to be made up in sign rentals and recreation funding.
These expenses showcase a large increase from 2012. Expenses are projected to be $375,908 while revenue is only expected to be $106,165. The remaining $269,743 shortfall is expected to be made up in sign rentals and recreation funding.
Coun. Tony Jordan expressed concern at the meeting about this increase.
Hager explained that it was due to a number of things happening this year.
ìIf all expenses and other revenues remained the same and there was a $5 (an hour) increase to user fees, it would increase the user fee revenue by approximately $6,860,î said Hager.
