Another step toward new apartments

The City of Yorkton will financially support a new credit class at the Yorkton Regional High School this fall.

"As you may have heard the Yorkton Regional High School is very pleased to be offering a Hockey Canada Skills Academy next school year. The course is designed to evaluate the present skill level of registered students and move them along to a higher level of hockey skill and knowledge by the end of the semester," explained YRHS principal Mike Haczkewicz in making the request at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

"The exciting aspect for students enrolling in the course is that they will receive credit from Saskatchewan's Ministry of Learning in Hockey 10. A further credit in Hockey 20 and 30 may be attained in subsequent years."

The course will include on ice sessions.

"The course is designed to be on the ice one day and in the classroom the next day or in the gym for dry land training. We have had an overwhelming response to the program and will be able to offer two sections of the class. Each section would run during the first hour of the morning. One group would be at the YRHS while the second group would be on the ice at the Kinsmen Arena and vice versa the next day," said Haczkewicz.

The course will come with additional costs for participants.

"Due to the nature of this course our students will be required to pay a registration of $350 to cover the costs of ice rental, Hockey Canada fees and a Hockey Canada Skills Academy jersey. These registration fees, from the 28 enrolled students, would allow for a class to have one one-ice session every second day for approximately 45 hours. A reduced ice rental rate would allow for the 28 students to be split into two separate classes to alternate day to day with their on-ice sessions. At 14 skaters per class this would allow for additional students to enroll in the program, while still keeping the number of bodies on the ice to more reasonable number than 28," said Haczkewicz.

"The Good Spirit School Division is providing the instructors for the program, and currently absorbing the extra costs of supplies, instructor training (in Calgary) and the storage of players' equipment. The GSSD has also approved the additional expense of instructors that would be incurred by the addition of a second Hockey Academy class, but it is unable to subsidize the additional costs associated with ice rental."

Darcy McLeod, Director of Community Development, Parks and Recreation told Council the school was looking for a reduced ice rental rate to help offset course costs.

"The City was approached by Mr. Haczkewicz, Principal of the YRHS about the possibility of a rate reduction to help keep the costs of the program down. The Kinsmen Arena is not currently used weekday mornings so this request would increase use during an otherwise quiet time by using approximately 80 - 90 hours of ice-time during the course of the program," he said.

"The regular youth rate for daytime use is $67/hour inclusive of G.S.T. If the regular rate was applied, the revenue potential is $5,360 per year. After discussion with Mr. Haczkewicz a rate of $50 per hour requested equating to a possible revenue increase of $4,500 per year."

This request was presented to the Community Development, Parks & Recreation Committee at their May 14 meeting where they recommended that Council approve the request for a rate reduction to $50 per hour.

Councillor James Wilson wanted to know what the cost of operating the arena was.

McLeod said that would be the adult rate of $135 an hour. The $67 an hour rate for minor hockey is already a subsidized rate.

Wilson then wanted to know whether the YRHS request was a one-time thing, or an ongoing cost?

McLeod said the request was for one year.

Wilson said he could then agree with the request as long as "we don't become burdened with this."