Vernon Recreation Centre (Vernon Matters file photo)

By Liam Verster

Discounted Rates & Early Access

Tiered recreation structure to take effect in the new year

Dec 8, 2023 | 5:00 AM

Residents of Vernon, Coldstream and RDNO Areas B and C will have early access and discounted user fees for recreation in the new year.

The Vernon Resident Program, a two-tiered user fee and program access system, will take effect January 1, 2024.

Under the program, residents of the aforementioned communities will be given priority access and a 25 per cent discount to recreation programs, and will have user rates available at a 50 per cent discount compared to the rates people who do not reside in those communities will need to pay.

As the recreation agreement was set to expire at the end of 2024 and the City of Vernon was set to take over full responsibility of funding recreation, the city had originally planned to implement the policy for Vernon residents only.

However, a fee for service agreement was made with Coldstream and Areas B and C to provide their residents with the same benefits in exchange for the municipalities contributing to recreation.

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Eligible residents are encouraged to pre-register with Vernon Recreation Services for the program ahead of January 1, though the city said eligible residents will still be able to access recreation services at a discounted rate at any time of the year.

In order to get the discount and early access, a person will need to complete the required documentation and provide proof of residency with a government issued photo ID, utility bill or tenant agreement. As of time of publication, the city did not have an online option for registering, and instead people will need to do so at the Vernon Recreation Centre or Kal Tire Place. Non-resident business and property owners can also access these benefits by registering with proof in the form of a paid property tax slip.

Once registered, a user account will be created or updated to show the individual qualifies for the benefits. That account will need to be updated annually.

People who are ineligible but wish to get the same access and rates can purchase an access card for $800 a year for family-wide benefits.

The City of Vernon stated it is open to establishing Fee for Service agreements with other area municipalities wishing to provide its residents with the same benefits.

For more details on the resident program, click here.