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By Liam Verster
Lower numbers

Several thousand resident passes issued for Vernon Recreation, fewer participants

Apr 21, 2024 | 10:00 PM

Thousands of local residents have accessed the City of Vernon’s new recreation deals, though participation in services have decreased.

A report to Vernon city council said over 3,000 Vernon resident passes were issued by Recreation Services to residents of Vernon, Coldstream, and Areas B of C in the Regional District of North Okanagan in the first quarter of 2024.

The passes allow holders to access programs earlier and pay lower rates than people who reside in communities that don’t have a recreation agreement with Vernon.

The report by Leah Walker, Manager of Recreation Customer Service, stated this “was a huge undertaking for the clerks” as they had to verify the residency of each individual, though added “they did it efficiently and effectively.”

The update on passes were presented along with the Q1 recreation figures, which noted declines in aquatic program participants; drop-in visits; playschool and youth program and camp attendees; youth sport participants; fitness class attendance; and activity registrations when compared to the same period of 2023.

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There were 1,097 recreation passes sold in the first three months of 2024, down from 1,291 the year prior.

The report stated it is believed the implementation of the two-tier recreation pricing system was a factor in the decreased attendance and pass sales, but the exact effect of the new pass system remained undetermined.

It was noted that adult sport participation saw an increase from Q1 of the previous year, as did booking hours for all facilities. The report added the majority of community events hosted this past quarter saw “their largest crowds in recent history.”

The report will be presented to Vernon council for information at the regular meeting Monday, April 22.

by Liam Verster
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