COLD LAKE - City of Cold Lake council has decided to maintain its current fee structure for senior recreation fees at City facilities, following concerns expressed about affordability.
During a discussion at the Oct.15 Corporate Priorities Committee meeting, council members considered requests for lower fees but have ultimately agreed to keep prices unchanged to balance affordability with the City’s revenue needs.
While comparisons were made to Bonnyville’s C2 Centre, where seniors enjoy discounted rates, council decided Cold Lake’s current approach was sufficient.
“We need the revenue,” said Mayor Craig Copeland, highlighting the need for caution when considering further subsidies.
CAO Kevin Nagoya explained that the City receives many requests from seniors for reduced fees.
“We have placed it on this evening's priorities committee for council's feedback in regard to seniors' fees. One thing in terms of our review of this is that the City does get quite a few requests from seniors for lower fees,” Nagoya stated.
He outlined the comparisons made with Bonnyville's C2 Centre, where discounts for seniors and "super seniors" are available, but noted that Cold Lake's fees and definitions for seniors differ, with the golf course offering a discount for those 55 and older, unlike other facilities that define a senior as 60 years old or older.
Coun. Chris Vining expressed satisfaction with the current structure, saying, "I’m good where we are, I think we have good discounts."
Coun. Adele Richardson agreed but added that consistency is important across City facilities.
"I think we are good where we are at, I just think we should be consistent with what we identify as a senior."
Council also discussed a recent initiative offering one-month free memberships through the City's "Prescription to Get Active" program.
However, discounts for activities like the rock wall are not currently available for seniors, as Nagoya pointed out. “Right now, we do not offer discounts or subsidies for seniors . . . Just a straight fee and the basis of that [we were trying to] get some cost recovery out of the rock wall."
Council members largely agreed that the current fee structure remains appropriate, with no immediate plans to alter it.
