The boat launch at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park is open to the city’s residents, but it soon may cost them more to enjoy a day on the water.
At its virtual meeting Tuesday, city council will consider the addition of a $30 reservation fee, on top of the $21.10 cost for a daily pass, plus tax. The reservation fee would also apply to annual pass holders that can access the ramp as well during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it would be waived for users designated by the province as essential services.
According to a report, the fee will help the city recover its costs to manage the reservation system that was implemented when the ramp was reopened to Port Moody residents and annual pass holders on April 19.
The city could also introduce a scaled reservation fee should it make use of the ramp available to day-boaters from outside Port Moody.
Then, city residents would pay a $10 reservation fee on top of the cost for a day pass, while those from outside the city would pay $25. The wider access to the ramp and new fee schedule would come into effect May 20.
Since re-opening the ramp, use has been limited to a maximum of 30 launches a day to ensure physical distancing. That capacity was reached last Friday for the first time, followed by 27 bookings on Saturday and 26 on Sunday.
Prior to last weekend’s sunny, warm weather, Port Moody city manager Tim Savoie said uptake on the booking system had been fairly low, with the busiest day on April 19 when 16 launch times were reserved.
