One of what is expected to be a wave of applications for rent-free space at the new CUPlex has made its way to council.
An application came to North Battleford council Jan. 23 from Joan Wentworth, chronic disease education services at Prairie North Health Region, requesting usage fees be waived at the new field house for participants in the Strides to Better Health program.
However, the City made clear it wants to go a different direction by handling such requests through either community grants or a reduced rate.
Parks and Recreation Director Keith Anderson noted in a memo that if the city commits to letting certain groups access facilities for no charge "then the requests will continue to come and the decision of which groups have this privilege becomes subjective and open to criticism."
He stated a compromise solution "could be the implementation of a corporate rate structure that would allow groups such as this to access the facility at a reduced rate. The group may qualify for a community grant to offset their cost of using this facility similar to the Aquatic Therapy Program currently going on at the swimming pool."
Council opted not to make a decision on Prairie North Health Region's application until a policy is in place as to how council should proceed. A rate structure is also still to be established and Anderson told council that would still take a few weeks.
The City also plans further discussions with the health region on their request. Council will be encouraging the region to prepare a plan regarding their expected usage of the new facility.
