Split Council Over Recreation Fee Increases

A plan approved by Saint John’s former council has caused division among the city’s current council.

Recreation Subsidization Policies were approved in 2019. The plan increases user fees over time at city-owned fields and arenas to help recover costs.

For 2022, city staff suggested recovering 70 per cent of costs, instead of the 100 per cent projected in the original plan.

Several councillors thought that was too much and wanted fees to remain at the rate set in 2021.

“I think this council is being pennywise and pound foolish … it’s $46,000. We’ll throw a budget of $26 million through and then we’re going to debate this like it’s going to change the entire parameters of this city’s quality of life,” said Councillor Brent Harris.

Fees in 2020 increased to recover 40 per cent of costs, while the pandemic capped the 2021 increase at 60 per cent.

“When we first started this, field user groups were paying 14 per cent of what it cost for the city to run the facility,” said Councillor Gary Sullivan, who was also part of the previous council in 2019.

“So, the taxpayer, if they used the facility or not, was paying 86 per cent of the cost, but we have to ask if we are looking at being fair. We aren’t being fair at all right now, and that’s why the subsidization policy is so important.”

The vote was split and Mayor Donna Reardon cast the deciding vote to send the report back to city staff for further review.