WEYBURN – City council has approved a three-year phased increase for user fees at Crescent Point Place and the Tom Zandee Sports Arena, while rates at the Spark Centre and Weyburn Leisure Centre will remain unchanged.
The adjustments, set to take effect Sept. 1, aim to address rising operational costs due to inflation, energy expenses and supply costs, said Director of Leisure Services Richard Henning, at the regular council meeting on Aug. 11.
“The proposed user fee increases are unfortunately required to operate city-owned leisure facilities to address the ongoing impacts of inflation, energy and supply costs,” said Henning.
He said the Leisure Services Department is constantly seeking funding opportunities and finding operational efficiencies to limit deficits and keep user access affordable.
Arena rates climbing
Winter rates for Weyburn Minor Sports Associations will rise from $145 in 2024-25 to $175 by 2027-28. School rental fees will increase from $80 to $95 over the same period.
Summer sport camp daily rates will see a jump from $2,150 in 2024-25 to $2,550 in 2027-28. The Weyburn Red Wings will also face higher ice rental costs, with pre-season game fees climbing from $745 to $865, regular games from $1,060 to $1,230, and playoff games from $1,700 to $1,970 by 2027-28.
No hike for Spark Centre, leisure centre
While arena fees rise, the Spark Centre and Weyburn Leisure Centre will maintain current rates for the next three years.
Coun. John Corrigan questioned the discrepancy, asking, “I notice the increases at the arenas over the next three years, but I'm not seeing increases at the Spark Centre or the Leisure Centre at all over the next three years.”
Henning confirmed that was correct.
“We've held the rates there for the next three years with some of the Leisure facilities being currently out of service and a lot of rate increases over the years to catch those facilities up to current-day standards.”
Correction: Story corrected to attribute quote to Director of Leisure Services Richard Henning.
