Local community organizations may get a discount on recreation rental fees in Wellesley Township after council debated the merits of creating a policy to recognize the work of volunteers on Monday night.
Councillor Peter van der Maas raised the issue, saying there have been complaints from non-profit groups who rent the halls.
“What I hear frequently, and have for many years, is small resentments on the part of community service groups that work hard to supply equipment or the building itself and then pay the same rate as someone that’s going to do a buck and doe,” van der Maas said. “The Optimist Club, the Lions Club, people who are renting the facility for the betterment of the community, and frequently turning that money over to the township, they’re still expected to pay the same rate.”
He said the problem is it devalues their contribution to the community and it discourages the volunteers. He suggested some kind of a discount be created to recognize their efforts.
Director of facilities Brad Voisin said he’d look into it and gather more information on how other communities handle the subject.
“I know in other municipalities they’ve gotten away from that,” Voisin said. “What’s happening in other places is the local community group gets a discount on the rental, or a free rental, they raise money and it goes elsewhere. It might go to a needy family, it might go to Christmas lights on the streets and sometimes it doesn’t always come back to the community centre or the parks or the arenas.”
Van der Maas said he’d be interesting in adopting a protocol similar to another municipality that offers discounted rental rates, but regardless of what other communities do he’d like Wellesley to offer a reduced rate for service groups.
“In the name of good relations, creating a positive environment, you want to know that your efforts are appreciated,” Van der Maas said. “Because I’ve been on the other side for 25 years and it always bites a little bit: ‘Why are we paying all this money? We just put all this stuff into the community centre.’”
Coun. Herb Neher noted they’ve dealt with requests for discounted or free rental rates from community groups on an ad hoc basis in the past. He said they considered the type of group, if it was a fundraiser, and where the money would be going before deciding.
Voisin said groups often come to him with their request and he prepares a report for council, or they come to council as a delegation.
“As soon as we hear the word fundraiser, if they’re going to make money, it was a previous council’s decision that we’re going to try to get back our operating costs on that rental,” Voisin said.
Van der Maas said rather than looking at requests on a case-by-case basis, he’d prefer to see a policy which outlines which community groups are eligible and for what activities.
Coun. Shelley Wagner advised council should be careful about offering a discounted rate.
Mayor Joe Nowak agreed it will be essential to outline who gets the break and who doesn’t because as soon as you offer a discount, every group will want it.
“I think it’s an honourable thing to consider. Maybe we can come up with something, but somehow or other we’re going to have to find a way to control it,” Nowak said.
Other proposed changes include an increase in ice rental rates per hour at the St. Clements and Wellesley arenas. They’re suggesting an increase from $164.01 to $168.93 for prime time, and $101.96 to $105.01 for non prime time. Weekday mornings before 9 a.m. Monday to Friday would go from $60.94 to $62.76. Twin Centre Minor Sports (ringette, hockey, figure skating, Special Olympic curling) would be $107.43, compared to $104.29 last year.
The increases reflect a three per cent change due to inflation and would come into effect on May 1.
As a side note, Voisin requested a full-time employee to help out the recreation department during the summer when they have busy weekends with softball tournaments and weddings, and also for winter events like Silver Stick hockey tournaments.
The changes to fees and charges will be up for bylaw approval at the March 17 meeting of council.
