The Town of Olds is looking at possible changes to user fees for community services for next year.
ìAdministration is in the middle of reviewing rates, of our user rates across community services. So that's including the arena, the pool as well as (the) cemetery,î said Doug Wagstaff, the town's director of community services, at council's policies and priorities meeting on Feb. 18
The topic was brought up by Coun. Mary Jane Harper, who expressed concern that ice rental fees, which have not increased in years, are not keeping pace with the rising cost of playing hockey for families.
According to Wagstaff, community service rates were last reviewed in 2008 and raised modestly in 2010.
Council heard from an Olds Minor Hockey Association delegation at the meeting, which is requesting that the town waive $6,877 in late fees on the association's ice rental bill.
In its contract with the town, the OMHA must be financially sound, keep financial records and present them for inspection.
According to Wagstaff, the OMHA ran into money problems and fell behind on its monthly ice rental payments.
By Feb. 28, 2013, the OMHA owed the town $83,572.
The OMHA is now current with its accounts, Wagstaff said.
As the association repaid the debt, it incurred late penalties on its bills.
The OMHA is billed at the end of each month for ice time. Payment must be made by the end of the following month.
As of Jan. 28, the OMHA was due to pay $22,226.88 for 268 hours of ice time for that month. The late fees are included in this total.
The association's vice-president, Les Dodd, and secretary, Cara Corsiatto, also highlighted some achievements, including hiring a part-time bookkeeper this year, putting together a committee to oversee financial health and raising $10,000 from private and corporate donations.
Dodd said they hope to end the season with a slight profit.
Enrolment numbers were also discussed, with the OMHA registering 280 players from pre-hockey to midget level this year, down from 315 last year.
However, Les Dodd said enrolment numbers per capita are comparable to similar-sized towns.
