Flin Flon city council is proposing a regional approach to funding recreation facilities in Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach.
Council’s idea – far from finalized – would see the combined costs of rec facilities in the three communities divided evenly amongst all area residents.
“These (facilities) come with costs and we’d like our communities to be mindful of that and to come and join us in the operation of our major facilities,” said Mayor George Fontaine.
“We’re making that proposal to the citizens of Creighton and Denare Beach. They’re involved in a lot of our major (facilities) and these things come with costs and we’d like our communities to be mindful of that and to come and join us in the operation of our major facilities.”
Coun. Karen MacKinnon said the proposal recognizes that just as outside residents use Flin Flon’s facilities, Flin Flonners access Creighton’s Sportex and Denare Beach’s Denareplex.
“So it’s looking at the shared cost of all of the facilities combined, not just asking them to help with ours,” she said.
Coun. MacKinnon said Flin Flon is awaiting firm data as to how much money Creighton and Denare Beach spend on recreation.
As it stands, taxpayers in each of Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach alone bear the financial burden of their rec facilities, even though much of the usage comes from non-residents.
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That said, Flin Flon’s proposal could be a hard sell in Creighton and Denare Beach if it involves higher tax bills for those residents.
Creighton Mayor Bruce Fidler had no comment on the proposal as he had not had a chance to discuss it with his council. Denare Beach Mayor Carl Lentowicz said the same thing.
In Flin Flon, Mayor Fontaine and his council have implemented non-resident user fees at the Aqua Centre in recognition of the regional nature of the facility.
Access
As of Sept. 1, non-resident swimmers, including those from Creighton and Denare Beach, began paying more than Flin Flonners to access the pool.
At the time, Mayor Fontaine said user fees are not council’s “preferred method” to glean revenue from outside residents.
He said council’s goal is in fact a funding deal with neighbouring communities.
The Aqua Centre’s new fee structure sees non-residents pay an extra 42 per cent – anywhere from $1.75 to $150 – in most categories.
Swimming lessons are the exception, as all levels of classes charge an extra $22 across the board above what Flin Flonners pay.
Whereas general admission for an adult to use the Aqua Centre once is $4.75, non-residents pay an extra $2, for a total of $6.75.
For a yearly pass, individual adult residents pay $222 and non-residents an extra $93.25 for a total of $315.25.
At the weight room, residents pay $179.25 for a yearly pass, with non-residents charged an extra $75.50 for an overall tab of $254.75.
The biggest impact is on non-resident families who buy annual passes. Whereas Flin Flon families pay $357.75, outside families dole out another $150 for a total of $507.75.
General admission for children under the age of five remains free, regardless of where they live.
In terms of cost-sharing between Flin Flon and its two neighbours, there is already a precedent – the Flin Flon Public Library.
All three communities contribute funding to the library. Residents outside of those communities are required to pay a user fee to use the facility.
Summer Student Shannon Gilfillan walks on the revamped walking track at the Whitney Forum this past summer. The arena is used regionally but funded locally.
FILE PHOTO
