Laserfiche WebLink
• Page 2 <br />D-4 <br />and rink preparation.) However, last year this program was <br />run "free of charge" to participants with staff and supply <br />costs being covered by the .city's contingency fund. At the <br />time of the council's authorization to implement the <br />program in this manner, the commission was requested to <br />research, consider and possibly implement alternative <br />funding mechanisms to cover the associated operating costs <br />of the program. <br />Estimated Program cost: $800/8 week program with 1 program <br />leader. <br />$1,200/8 week program with 1 <br />program leader, 1 staff assistant <br />Funding alternatives: <br />1. No fee charged. Operate it like the ice skating. <br />Children come to the park on a drop-in basis at no <br />charge. Revenue generated: $ 0 <br />2. Lump sum of $20 per child for an 8 week session. <br />30 kids x $20 = $600. Revenue generated: $600 <br />3. "Pay as you participate" at $2 per time. <br />$2/day x 20 kids x 35 days = $1,400 <br />Revenue generated: $1,400 <br />4. Civic organization sponsorship or fundraising <br />Revenue generated: $0 to $1,200 <br />A continued "no user fee" approach provides the following <br />advantages. <br />1. It meets the city goal of meeting the community's <br />changing park and recreation needs. <br />2. It creates the most open program with the fewest <br />administrative hassles. <br />3. It provides 'no cost' recreation opportunities to <br />families that may require assistance. <br />4. It allows for visitors, cousins, etc. to be part of a <br />playground activity even if they are not registered. <br />5. It reduces the public perception that they "are paying <br />for a service" which might be misconstrued to be <br />closely supervising children not supervising the <br />playground. (This is a fine line, obviously children <br />won't be ignored by staff.) <br />6. It is difficult to initiate a fee for a program once <br />it has been offered for free. <br />NOTE: In any given year the recreation part-time staff budget <br />might have a balance sufficient to absorb the costs of <br />this program. It is contingent on the previous winter's <br />weather conditions and subsequent costs associated with <br />operating ice rinks on "open" days. <br />