The City of Swift Current Department for Community Services reviews and recommends rates for usage on the cities facilities for a 2 year time period. The department is mandated to have a minimum 40% recapture of operational cost for the entire program. This causes some challenges as some of the facilities have no revenue like parks or walking paths yet they occur expenses like grass cutting and watering in the summer to snow removal in the winter.

To offset these zero revenue operations, facilities like the Chinook golf course, must have higher revenues than operational expenses. With the total revenue brought in by all facilities like the swimming pools, Chinook golf course, and the iPlex and Fairview ice rinks, the total revenue have to cover the 40% mark of operational expenses.

Dean Robson, General Manager of community Services reported that after an extensive review they were able to recapture 41% in 2015 and look to have 43% for 2016. The department’s goal is to have small increases to some facilities as the operating cost will go up. They have been able to review a few like Chinook Golf course and leave the rates alone, or in some cases lower them as the market sets the price. The Aquatic center will not see an increase except for rental of the entire pool. Programs like advanced lesson will stay the same.

The market has a lot to do on the pricing some facilities can charge. Robson said, “We looked at a lot of rates that didn’t go up and in some instances they went down because of market. If you go to the aquatic center for instance in a lot of other communities you pay a couple of bucks more but you’re also getting a traditional new wave leisure pool and water slides and a lot more amenities than are 50 meter pool currently has.”

Weather also has a lot to do with the usage of facilities. With the rain this year rounds are a bit lower at Chinook golf course and Fairview pool saw less people using the pool. A batch of hot dry weather can turn that around and increase revenues. These play a large factor in rates as well.

The new rates will be effective Sept. 1 2016 and run until Aug. 31, 2018.