Ice fees are going up at the Drayton Valley Omniplex, but Drayton Valley town council is working to reduce the sting.
The Town recently approved a rebate system for users of the facility.
A fee rebate of 25 per cent for youth and adult group bookings will be put into place for the 2021 – 2022 hockey season.
Drayton Valley Mayor Michael Doerkson, says this all came about when Brazeau County decided to reduce their financial contribution to the Omniplex from $1 million per year to $400,000 per year.
“That was a pretty substantial hit. It’s very unfortunate that Brazeau County doesn’t feel that recreation is an importation part of our community,” says Doerkson.
To make up for the shortfall, the Town decided to increase rink fees by 28 per cent at their July 21 meeting.
Between the fees going up by 28 per cent, and the rebate covering 25 per cent, Town officials hope those measures will ensure that user groups will only be paying three per cent. Three per cent is the current standard for annual fee increases at the Omniplex.
Doerkson says the Town is still working out how to pay out the rebates, but it will probably be very similar to how the Town paid out refunds for events that had to be cancelled because of COVID-19.
One thing is known, however. Only town residents are eligible for the rebates, so proof of residency will need to be shown.
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