Users of Black Diamond’s ice rinks will notice a slight increase in fees this season as the Town attempts to offset rising operating costs.
Black Diamond Town council approved minor increases in the user and advertising rates at the Oilfields Regional Arena and Scott Seaman Sports Rink for the 2019-2020 ice season during its June 5 meeting, meaning groups will pay more this season. The season starts on Aug. 26.
Ice usage fees for the indoor arena will increase by $5, resulting in an hourly rate of $145 for local youth groups and $165 for non-local youths at prime hours. In the outdoor rink, non-prime rates will be $100 for local youth groups, $120 for out-of-town youth groups and $135 for adult groups.
Advertising costs will increase by $25, with totals ranging from $225 to $525.
“We’re just trying to cover the increases that we get hit with from everything else,” said Les Quinton, Black Diamond parks and recreation manager. “The increases help keep the amount required from property taxes as low as possible, placing much of the burden on facility users.”
Quinton said costs to operate the arena and outdoor rink continue to rise annually, from fuel and supplies to utilities and contracted services.
The cost to operate the indoor arena is $208 per hour when the ice is in, said Quinton.
Last season, 60 per cent of users were local, 28 per cent were adults and the remaining were from out of town.
“We don’t try to make huge increases at one time,” said Quinton. “We’re not trying to stop people from enjoying recreation, but we have to work on recovering some of our costs. We have to be able to keep up with the rising costs.”
To determine this season’s increases, Quinton researched rates for ice time in 30 nearby municipalities to stay competitive.
Users of Black Diamond’s ice rinks will notice a slight increase in fees this season as the Town attempts to offset rising operating costs.
Black Diamond Town council approved minor increases in the user and advertising rates at the Oilfields Regional Arena and Scott Seaman Sports Rink for the 2019-2020 ice season during its June 5 meeting, meaning groups will pay more this season. The season starts on Aug. 26.
Ice usage fees for the indoor arena will increase by $5, resulting in an hourly rate of $145 for local youth groups and $165 for non-local youths at prime hours. In the outdoor rink, non-prime rates will be $100 for local youth groups, $120 for out-of-town youth groups and $135 for adult groups.
Advertising costs will increase by $25, with totals ranging from $225 to $525.
“We’re just trying to cover the increases that we get hit with from everything else,” said Les Quinton, Black Diamond parks and recreation manager. “The increases help keep the amount required from property taxes as low as possible, placing much of the burden on facility users.”
Quinton said costs to operate the arena and outdoor rink continue to rise annually, from fuel and supplies to utilities and contracted services.
The cost to operate the indoor arena is $208 per hour when the ice is in, said Quinton.
Last season, 60 per cent of users were local, 28 per cent were adults and the remaining were from out of town.
“We don’t try to make huge increases at one time,” said Quinton. “We’re not trying to stop people from enjoying recreation, but we have to work on recovering some of our costs. We have to be able to keep up with the rising costs.”
To determine this season’s increases, Quinton researched rates for ice time in 30 nearby municipalities to stay competitive.
