Admission fees at Abbotsford recreation facilities are increasing by almost four per cent as of Sept. 1, while some rental fees are going down for the Legacy Sport Centre and Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (MCA).
Council approved the changes at its meeting on Tuesday (July 30) following a recommendation from city staff.
A staff report says a 3.82 per cent “inflationary increase” in parks and recreation fees and charges is expected to increase city revenue by $190,000, based on 2023 attendance numbers.
The drop in rental fees for the Legacy Building and MCA is expected to result in an $8,000 decrease in revenue. But the staff report says it’s hoped that the reduction in fees will result in more groups renting the spaces to “offset any negative revenue impact.”
Single-admission drop-in rates for Matsqui Recreation Centre, Abbotsford Recreation Centre and MSA Arena will increase from the current rates of $3.95 (ages five to 24), $7.95 (ages 25 to 64) and $4.50 (65 and older) to $4.10, $9.10 and $4.80 respectively.
The family rate will increase from $15.90 to $18.20.
A 10-session pass for each age group will increase from $35.50, $71.50 and $40.50 to $36.90, $81.90 and $43.20.
Admission fees for Centennial Pool will go up from $3.50, $4.70 and $3.50 to $3.65, $4.90 and $3.65. The family rate will increase from $9.40 to $9.80.
Rentals of some facilities such as the Ag-Rec Building, Rotary Stadium and the Cadet Building are also going up.
For example, ice rentals for the ARC, MRC and MSA arenas are currently $140 per hour (minors/seniors), $284 (adults) and $350 (private/commercial). As of Sept. 1, the rates will be $154, $284 and $363 per hour.
But some fees for the Legacy Sport Centre are dropping for various rentals, including the banquet room, the conference room, the martial arts room and the whole facility.
For example, the whole facility for a no-admission event currently costs $1,066 per day for minors/seniors and $1,502 for adults. As of Sept. 1, the rates will be $710 and $1,010 respectively.
Private and commercial fees are going up slightly from $2,130 per day to $2,303.
MCA will see a drop in its rate for a rental of its foyer – from $56.50 and $84.50 per hour to $44.50 and $65.50.
But renting the auditorium for an event will go up from the current rates of $84 per hour (minors/seniors), $90.50 (adults) and $167 (private/commercial) to $87, $94 and $173.
The complete price list can be viewed on the city website at abbotsford.ca/prc-rate-sheet.
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