A two per cent hike in Victoria recreation fees has been approved by Victoria city councillors.
The increase will apply to all Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre and Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre drop-in fees, passes and punch cards, swimming-lane rental and all other fees, including those for rental of festival equipment, sports fields, Royal Athletic Park and filming.
There will be no increase in the cost of the annual Crystal Pool gold pass or on the pool’s daily locker fees.
City staff said recreation fees were dropped seven per cent when the HST was dropped on April 1, so the net result translates to a five per cent drop in rates from last year.
Coun. Ben Isitt spoke against the increases, saying that public recreation facilities are disproportionately used by lower-income residents.