LA RONGE — The Town of La Ronge has adopted a new fees, cancellations and refunds policy that will see Village of Air Ronge residents pay higher rates for recreation programs and facility use.
The move follows the Village’s decision earlier this year to reduce its annual recreation contribution to the Town from $85,000 to $40,000. The Town of La Ronge said in a statement released to the public that $140,000 reflects the Village’s per capita share of recreation operating costs. The numbers were outlined in a Town of La Ronge question-and-answer document.
To make up the shortfall, the new policy introduces Village Resident Contribution (VRC) user fees. Under the changes:
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Village residents will pay 200 per cent of regular program registration and facility rental fees.
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An additional $1,000 per activity fee will apply for Village residents joining groups that use ice surfaces at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
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Groups using other Town-operated indoor or outdoor facilities will face a $100 per activity fee for Village participants.
Town officials emphasized that recreation facilities provide regional benefits by offering healthy activities, reducing strain on other public services and helping attract professionals to the community.
The Northern Saskatchewan Administration District (NSAD) reached a new agreement with the Town in 2024, raising its contribution to more than $60,000 annually. The Lac La Ronge Indian Band, which operates the JRMCC, is not part of the cost-sharing model since both governments invest in recreation independently.
The Village of Air Ronge was contacted but did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the Government of Saskatchewan, Municipal Relations and Shared Services, regional recreation funding agreements are a common tool in Saskatchewan. In many cases, villages and rural municipalities contribute to neighbouring urban municipalities to ensure their residents have access to arenas, pools and other shared facilities — a system meant to spread costs fairly across communities that benefit.
