City of Vernon considering three per cent increase to recreation rates

The City of Vernon will consider a rate increase of about three per cent for recreation services in 2022.

The proposed budget would see the increase applied to the pool and arena drop-in rates, as well as rental rates for ice and curling rinks, multi-use facilities, auditorium, conference centre, meeting spaces, outdoor display space, indoor lobby space, gymnasium, kitchen and clubhouse.

The programs at the swimming pool, including swimming lessons and lane rentals, will also be more expensive in 2022, though some programs, like the National Lifeguard Course and the specialty classes will not have the three per cent increase applied to them.

The city doesn’t plan to increase the rates of all recreational amenities in 2022. The rental rates for sports fields for league play or practice, the rates for renting a picnic shelter at Kin Beach, reserving space at Polson Park, and using city-owned courts for tennis, volleyball and pickleball will not go up.