Non-Resident User Fees

At Budget Committee on November 17^th the following Motion was passed:

“That User Groups utilizing Community Service Facilities be required at the time of program registrations to collect a non-resident user fee for each non-resident participant for submission to the City as follows:
a. $150 for programs held at indoor facilities; and,
b. $75 for programs held at outdoor facilities.”

Accordingly, any participant whose primary residence is located outside of the limits of the City of Prince Albert, shall be charged a user fee at the time of registration as per the rates noted in a and b above.  User groups are required to track these registrations and submit a payment of the non-resident user fees to the City within 120 days of your registration closing.

The approved motion is in effect and the expectation is that User Groups implement the Non-Resident fee at the time of registration. 

A number of questions were raised during meetings with user groups which are addressed below. 

1.    Is there a Cap or Maximum amount for Families with children in multiple sports?
There isn’t a cap for families who play multiple sports.  User Groups who have multiple programs will only have a participant pay the fee once.  For example, Figure Skating has 45 programs, a Non-Resident will only pay the Non-Resident fee once to Figure Skating. 

2.    Why doesn’t the City of Prince Albert collect the fee? 
The City of Prince Albert cannot collect personal information from individuals that are registering with you directly. The only data we require from the User Groups is the number of Non-Residents who registered. The amount we collect will be based on the number that is reported.  You will not need or be asked to share names, addresses or any personal information of your members. 

3.    What if people use a fake address?
This will be monitored and should the City become aware of any such instances we will consider any available options at that time.

4.    Are Adult programs subject to this Motion?
No. The City of Prince Albert’s General Admissions & Memberships is set that Youth & Seniors pay 60% of the Adult Rate. The Adult Rate is set at Cost Recovery. This means Adults are paying a higher fee to use City of Prince Albert facilities so that Youth & Seniors can pay a subsidized rate.

5. A) Are Cooke Municipal Golf Course users being charged under this Motion?
No. The Golf Course budget is set to generate a surplus on an annual basis. The surplus funds are then allocated to the Golf Course Improvements Reserve for future investment at the Golf Course.

5. B) What about the Prince Albert Curling Club?
They are not subject to this motion as they are not a City owned facility. As the facility owner, the PA Golf & Curling Club are responsible for setting their own fees.

6.    Why not just increase Rates and Fees to help cover operating costs?
City of Prince Albert residents already pay for the subsidization of the facilities through their annual property taxes. There are 632 taxable commercial properties, 10,060 taxable residential properties and 3,546 units located in multi-residential properties in Prince Albert for a total of 14,256 taxable locations.

In 2024, the City’s Recreation Facilities are subsidized in the amount of $2,641,394. As a result, each taxable property in Prince Albert contributes $185.28 on average to fund the direct costs to operate the facilities whether they use them or not. This amount does not include administrative supports the City provides to these facilities including Finance, HR, Payroll and IT. Residents who use the facilities then pay the user fees in addition to their property taxes.  Increasing user rates and fees would still result in residents contributing a greater share to the facilities that everyone benefits from.

 7.    What happens if a User Group doesn’t collect the fee?
Options would be considered as part of the follow up report to Council should this be the case.

 8.    Will a written proposal be sent to the Rural Municipalities(RMs)?
Multiple direct conversations have already been initiated by City elected officials with the elected officials representing the RMs and the City continues to be optimistic that RMs will come forward to discuss this very important matter with the City for their residents. The option we would like explored, and which has been done in other communities, is an annual contribution from the RM to the City on behalf of all RM residents. In our view, an agreement like this supports our mutual interest in contributing to recreation facilities for all our residents and ensures that costs remain accessible for families.