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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-072 - Kitchener Minor Hockey Association - 2009-2010 Fees and ChargesREPORT REPORT TO: Community Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: December 7, 2009 SUBMITTED BY: Kim Kugler, Interim Director Enterprise, 2544 PREPARED BY: Kim Kugler, Interim Director Enterprise, 2544 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: December 1, 2009 REPORT NO.: CSD-09-072 SUBJECT: KITCHENER MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION FEES FOR 2009 AND 2010 RECOMMENDATION : That for the time period September 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, Kitchener Minor Hockey be rebated for the dollar value of the rate differential between the Council approved fees and charges rates of $188 per hour for multi-pad facility and $168 per hour for single pad facility to the reduced rate of $183.50 and $162.75, respectively. That the prime ice rates for affiliated sport groups for January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2010 be set at $183.50 per hour for a multi-pad facility and $162.75 per hour for a single pad facility, and; That the 2010 prime ice rates for affiliated sport groups for the period September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011 be set at $189 per hour for a multi-pad facility and $167.50 per hour for a single pad facility. BACKGROUND: In 2003 the City of Kitchener and Kitchener Minor Hockey Association (KMHA) created a task force to review and find solutions to improve the financial status of KMHA by investigating revenue opportunities and expense reduction strategies. The task force completed the work and reported back to council the findings and the new strategies that assisted KMHA in meeting their budget shortfall and reducing their operating deficit. One of the strategies implemented was a commitment to not increase fees by more than three percent. The City committed to fee increases that would not exceed three percent for 2005 to 2008. With a cap on fees KMHA was able to review annually and set their fees to their users to ensure their fees would align with covering their operating costs. î ó ï KMHA was able to move the organization from a deficit position to a small surplus position. Their surplus position allowed KMHA to support the capital fundraising campaign for the Activa Sportsplex and to move their administrative offices and storage area. REPORT: As part of the budget call for 2009, there was a request for fees to be increased six percent and for grants to be increased two percent. KMHA identified concerns and were going to bring forward an appeal to the grant committee for additional funding but instead they agreed to work with staff to review and explore alternatives. City staff and KMHA staff and board members have met on two occasions to review and explore options to deal with the potential financial concerns. Identifying the impacts ofKMHA’s capital commitment to the Activa Sportsplex and the relocation of the administrative offices to their new location quickly revealed the challenges of adding a six percent fee increase. Not only is KMHA funding some of the capital campaign for Activa but they also took on more of their own financial responsibilities for their administration by transitioning from the city’s phone and computer systems to their own systems. During the review, it became apparent that the approved fees for ice were going to have a negative impact on KMHA’s ability to manage the financial impact on their users and programs beyond the administrative and capital commitments they had to fund. Staff explored funding options with KMHA and found the best strategy to ensure KMHA is able to provide a viable and affordable sport was to relook at the fees that were approved in 2008 for 2009. The six percent increase to ice rates came into effect as of September 2009. The approved 2009 fee for an hour of ice in a multi-pad facility was $188 and for a single pad facility $168; what is being proposed is a fee that is three percent less at an hourly rate of $183.50 for a multi-pad and $162.75 for a single pad. In addition to reducing the 2009 fees by three percent there also needs to be a correction to the 2010 prime ice rates for affiliated sports groups. The 2010 fees for prime ice for multi-pad facilities will be $189 and for a single pad the fee would be $167.50. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The adjustment to the fees will have a total impact of approximately $20,000 to the 2009 operating budget for the Aud and Arenas and a $36,000 impact on the 2010 operating budget. Both years operating impacts caused by the resetting of the fees for prime ice for KMHA will be off set with other rentals that have been secured or are being contracted for the Aud and Arenas currently. CONCLUSION: KMHA staff and board members operate an organization that provides an opportunity for youth to participate in sport and develop as team players and leaders. The recommendations to decrease fees in 2009 by three percent and reflect the change through an adjustment in 2010 . will assist KMHA in their existence as a viable and affordable sport for the youth in Kitchener ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services î ó î