Oilfield and Scott Seaman Arena users will all be paying a little more for their ice time this year, but the Foothills Skating Club avoided a $50 per hour hike which they say would have seriously impacted their program.
Last week Black Diamond town council approved hourly rental increases for the arenas, ranging between $75 per hour for non-prime time weekday use up to $190 per hour for prime time weekend ice use for adults and non-local users. Council approved $5 per hour rental hikes for local youth groups, like minor hockey, and $10 hikes for non-local and adult groups at the Oilfields Arena and $5 per hour more at the Scott Seaman outdoor arena.
Councillors voted against moving up the prime time weekday period to start an hour earlier at 4 p.m. Prime time weekday hours at the Oilfields Arena are between 5 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and rental cost is $50 more than non-prime time rental rates.
The change in prime-time hours would have cost the Foothills Skating Club $6,800 next season.
“Based on our ice fees last year of $34,104, this is an increase of almost 20 per cent,” Foothills Skating Club president Karla Powell told council.
Foothills Skating Club provides skating lessons for children three and up, it operates a youth figure skating club and offers adult skate lessons. The club has been in Black Diamond since 1960.
The extra costs for prime-time ice fees would have forced the club to increase fees or cut back programs, said Powell, explaining they considered offering fewer lessons for the same price.
However, they won’t have to worry after council voted in a narrow 3-4 vote to not extend the prime time hours.
Black Diamond councilor Jackie Stickel said she voted against changing the prime time hours to preserve the Foothills Skating Club.
“I think a 20 per cent increase would kill that group,” Stickel said.
Powell was relieved they won’t be facing a large fee increase this September.
“We’re really pleased with councils’ decision,” she said, adding she agrees the ice fees should increase, but said it should be shared evenly by all users.
Powell said last season they had 75 students from 54 families and they would have to absorb the fee increase she said.
Black Diamond Parks and Rec manager Les Quintion said the arena rental rates are looked at every year. He said utility costs have increased by $5,000 so far this year and other costs have also increased the operating expenses at the arena.
Quinton told council even if they increased the amount of weekday prime time hours, user fees will cover only 42 per cent of the arena’s operating costs. In 2015 user fees covered 50 per cent.
“In 2016 we are looking at covering only 42 per cent of our operating costs and that puts a burden on Black Diamond taxpayers,” Quinton said.
He said morning ice time was also offered to the Foothills Skating Club.
Quinton looked at 27 arenas in surrounding communities and 18 started their weekday prime time hours at 4 p.m.
“For overall rates, we are probably the lowest,” Quinton said.
No other user groups commented on the fee changes, he said.
The cost to rent the outdoor arena for a half day, full day or multiple days increased between $20 and $120. Quinton said they haven’t increased the fees since a roof was added and that they get few rentals for the outdoor arena.
