A new One Pass card will launch in Port Coquitlam this month for residents wanting unlimited access to drop-in programs at civic recreation centres.
PoCo’s One Pass card will be similar to Coquitlam’s, allowing users to pay a term membership for unlimited swimming, skating and fitness at the Hyde Creek rec centre, the new Port Coquitlam community centre (PCCC) and outdoor pools. Registered programs are excluded.
In 2019, One Pass cardholders will pay:
• child (four to 12 years): $27.43 a month/$253.56 a year;
• youth/young adult (13 to 24): $40.29/$372.42 a year;
• adult (25 to 59): $54.86/$507.12 a year;
• senior (60 to 84): $40.29 a month; $372.42 a year;
• "super senior" (85 or older): $27.43 a month/$253.56 a year;
• and family (one adult, two kids): $109.71 a month/$1,014.25 a year.
Last week, city council approved the all-inclusive card, which is due to be for sale starting Nov. 15, while also considering an update to its fees and charges bylaw, starting Jan. 1 — a proposal that will generate an extra $40,000 a year if city council formally approves the new policy at its Nov. 12 meeting.
Under the plan, recreation rates will rise 2% — the first increase since May 2018 — and a new pricing structure will be created for youths and young adults.
The latter move is designed to get more residents between the ages of 13 and 24 active at rec centres, recreation director Lori Bowie told council.
The 2% admission jump is to reflect the Lower Mainland market and to align with union wage, supplies and utility increases, she said at the Oct. 22 meeting.
The proposed single drop-in admissions at Hyde Creek and PCCC are set to rise:
• child: $3.05 to $3.10;
• youth/young adult: $4.48 to $4.65;
• adult: $6.10 to $6.20;
• senior: $4.48 to $4.65;
• super senior: $3.05 to $3.10;
• family: $12.19 to $12.40.
The city also plans to adjust its fees for field and arena rentals based on the adult base-price model: Youths/schools will pay half the adult base price rate while private groups will pay 125% and commercial/non-resident/political groups will pay 150%.
In some cases, users will see charges go down next year, Bowie said.
Coun. Steve Darling said he’s happy to hold the line for arena rentals for youth/schools as “parents are paying a tremendous amount for ice time.”
Coun. Nancy McCurrach asked if the city should waive the recreation rates for super seniors while Coun. Laura Dupont asked why PCCC user groups need to book the corridors for such things as tournament registration and receptions.
Mayor Brad West said charging for corridor use “is a bit nickel and dime-ing… If it’s ancillary to the event, in my my view it’s fine to have a desk in a corridor next to the event.”
