If you want to take a dip in a Coquitlam indoor pool, skate at a rink or workout at a civic weight room, you’d better dig harder into your pocket.
On Monday, council unanimously gave three readings to the fees and charges bylaw to raise some rates in the new year — a move that’s expected to generate some $327,800 for the city in 2022, according to a city staff report.
The higher recreation fees, which are designed to match the 2.8 per cent inflation rate, are set to yield $34,000 more for municipal coffers.
That means One Pass single visits will cost you:
- child: $3.29 (up from $3.19)
- youth/student: $4.90 (up from $4.76)
- adult: $6.52 (up from $6.33)
- senior: $4.90 (up from $4.76)
- super senior: $3.29 (up from $3.19)
- parent & tot (per person): $3.29 (up from $3.19)
That compares to the drop-in visits between August 2020 and September 2021 when the cost was $1 for kids, $2 for adults and $5 for a family; however, the reduced pricing for recreation was offset for the city by $130,000 from the Community Support and Recovery Plan, a $5 million pandemic fund, as well as a $747,000 BC Safe Restart Grant.
In those 13 months, there were some 300,000 visits to Coquitlam pools, rinks and fitness centres.
At Monday’s council meeting, Coun. Steve Kim said he likes that the proposed bylaw — due to receive fourth and final reading on Dec. 13 — includes free helmet rentals for kids.
Still, the bulk of the new revenues relate to building fees: An inflationary hike of 2.8 per cent, plus another 1.7 per cent for cost recovery, is set to bring in $264,400 more. As well, an inflationary increase for planning and development costs will yield $28,500 more.
Meanwhile, to get ready for the cannabis regulatory framework, of which a public hearing is scheduled for Monday (Dec. 13), the city will introduce new application and licence fees:
- cannabis retail licence referral fee; $1,100
- cannabis retail zoning bylaw text amendment: $7,998
- public hearing: $1,302
- cannabis production or retail store licence: $1,000
