2024 Annual Report Draft

Updated Recreation facility rental and user fees effective September 2024 The City of Courtenay amended the Fees and Charges Bylaw to increase indoor recreation facility rental and user fees starting September 2024. These updates align with the City’s Recreation Fees and Charges Framework, for a fair, transparent and benefits-based approach to facility pricing. To ensure continued fairness and financial sustainability, City staff will review unit costs, facility use and subsidies every four to five years, making adjustments as needed.

This updated approach supports long-term sustainability and equitable access to recreation facilities, ensuring that community members and organizations continue to benefit from high-quality recreational spaces and programs. Facility rentals continued to increase as community groups and partners returned to post-pandemic activity levels. Variations in hours versus number of bookings can be attributed to single large bookings that occurred in 2021 and 2022 due to vaccine clinics, and in other years due to large bookings, such as elections, etc.

Facility rentals

Year

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

# of indoor rental bookings

478

823

3,560

1.702

1,866

Indoor rental hours

9,598

23,628

18,044

15,062

11,822

Indoor rental revenues

$35,900 $88,683 $135,540 $149,850 $190,399

# of outdoor rental bookings

1,539

1,742

2,935

3,633

4,014

Outdoor rental hours

5,136

6,339

9,955

11,587

15,965

Outdoor rental revenues

$11,100 $20,500 $42,943

$43,591

$56,364

Cozy Corner Preschool awarded grants In 2023, Cozy Corner Preschool secured three grants that supported enhanced staffing and reduced costs for families. In October, the preschool received funding through the B.C. government's Child Care Initiatives, which lowered monthly fees for families. Through a partnership with the Comox Valley Child Development Centre, funding was secured to hire an additional Early Childhood Educator. The position supports the inclusion of children with diverse abilities in Cozy Corner Preschool, contributing to a fully inclusive environment. Cozy Corner also received Early Years Wage Enhancement funding ensuring educators are paid equitable wages at no additional cost to families.

Cozy Corner Preschool

City of Courtenay | 2024 Annual Report

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