Fee changes to see final reading at council

Cold Lake, AB – Proposed changes to recreational user fees are still being discussed by council.

As part of the changes, an increase of two per cent to general recreation fees, and five per cent to Marina fees, would be considered in order to maintain affordable and accessible recreation opportunities, ensure fairness and consistency across user groups, and bring certain fees closer to regional market rates.

“We are considering this as an option, as it draws from those who use the facilities and amenities instead of the general public as a whole,” said Mayor Bob Mattice. “By increasing fees, we can continue to cover rising costs, while maintaining the level of services we provide.”

In addition to the general fee increases, council approved a phased, five-year ice rate adjustment plan, which will run from 2026 to 2031. This phased approach will cover the gap between Cold Lake’s ice rental rates and those charged in comparable Alberta communities, while allowing time for user groups to adapt to the fee increases.

“Some of the user categories, like schools and certain junior rates, will remain unchanged during the phase,” said Mattice. “And most casual users of our recreation facilities will see small, incremental changes to fees.”

Other changes to the policy include several non-financial clarifications to improve transparency and provide clearer definitions, such as in-house minor sport organizations and “youth” as it relates to arena ice rentals. All fees continued to be reviewed annually and approved by City Council.

If approved at the April 14 council meeting, the new changes in the policy will take effect Sept. 1, 2026. Recreation user groups will be notified of upcoming changes, and the revised policy will be available on www.coldlake.com/bylaws

- 30 -