Strathmore weighs new approach to recreation cost recovery 

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore council is looking at whether the town should take a new approach to how much recreation users contribute toward the cost of operating local facilities.

The discussion came during council’s Sept. 9 Committee of the Whole review of the proposed 2027 Fees Bylaw.

Administration is recommending no increase to recreation memberships and admissions for a second consecutive year, although some facility rental rates are proposed to increase.

Coun. Brent Wiley asked whether the town should develop a formal cost-recovery policy for recreation facilities.

“I do see a number of cons of us not having a cost recovery target,” said Coun. Wiley.

He argued there can be fairness issues when recreation facilities are heavily subsidized through property taxes, particularly when some lower-income residents may not be able to afford to use those facilities in the first place.

Wiley said he was not advocating for facilities to become fully self-supporting.

“When I say cost recovery, we’re not talking about 100 per cent cost recovery,” he said; numbers more like 40-60 per cent is more along the lines of what he would feel is reasonable.

Coun. Matt Hyde commented about the rate freeze, saying it is a great idea and a nice gesture, but sustainability should be at the forefront of a decision.

Council cautioned that increasing cost recovery too aggressively could make recreation less accessible.

Administration said developing a formal policy would require considerable work because increasing fees can also reduce the number of users.

CAO Kevin Scoble cautioned that setting an aggressive cost recovery target can also influence how facilities operate.

Administration said a draft cost recovery policy had been discussed during the previous council term and could be brought back for consideration.

Council also heard why recreation admission fees are being held steady again in 2027.

Administration said recreation membership sales are down for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and the town is already somewhat high compared with comparable communities.

For example, council heard a one-month adult aquatic membership in Strathmore costs $75.50, compared with $56 in Brooks and $78.81 in Airdrie, which has significantly more amenities.

“We feel that might be a little bit high,” administration said. “So, these two back-to-back years of 0 per cent increase is letting us get caught up in our market comparison research and where we feel we should be aligned within the market.”

Wiley said he appreciated the explanation but was concerned that keeping rates frozen for too long could eventually result in a sharp increase.

The cost recovery discussion is not expected to affect the upcoming 2027 budget directly. Administration indicated a more detailed review could instead be completed in time for a future budget cycle.