Some city councillors are raising red flags over what a walking track-only membership at Servus Place could mean for the future of recreation in St. Albert.
The idea was put forward by Coun. Jacquie Hansen during Monday's meeting. She wanted the city-run facility to offer individual memberships for the walking and running track only on a monthly and annual basis. Normally, anyone who wants to use the 270-metre track has to purchase a day pass or a membership pass.
The adult day pass is currently $10.50, a monthly is $54.50 and annually it’s $545. Seniors 60 and up pay $8 for a day pass, $42 for a monthly and $420 for an annual one. Walking track-only passes would have been cheaper.
Hansen also wanted to offer full memberships to St. Albert residents who are 80 years or older at Servus and Fountain Park.
However, neither of these ideas ventured too far right away as council voted to send them to seniors, youth and community services advisory committees for some feedback.
Coun. Natalie Joly said she felt uncomfortable with what this policy change could mean for the city’s approach to recreation.
“Back in the day when I was spending 40 hours a week in our rec facilities, most users only used a particular area in our facilities or one particular class,” she said. “Especially with something like the running track, for people who are walking there are indoor alternatives in this city that can be used. This is not their only option. I think this is a fundamental change in how we approach recreation. We need more of a discussion if we are going to do that.”
She added this idea should have gone to the advisory committees for feedback and advice.
Mayor Cathy Heron agreed that some kind of consultation should be done.
“We have no consultation on this,” she said. “I have a girlfriend who is a single mom, living in a crappy condo with two really active young boys and they go swimming at Servus Place all the time. When she found out this was coming forward she said, ‘If it passes, I’m coming and asking for single use for swimming.’ This is opening a can of worms and it does change our philosophy. I’m open to change of philosophy – with big consultation.”
Other cities in Alberta do offer track-only memberships, including Spruce Grove and Fort Saskatchewan. Servus Place has a cost recovery of between 85 to 90 per cent, but a change to the existing operating and fee models could impact this a bit if the city offers a discount or free admission. City staff told council the impacts wouldn’t be very high.
Hansen argued the idea is less about revenue and more about providing options to residents. She said more would want to use Servus Place if the single-use membership was offered.
“We just approved free bus passes for 13- to 18-year-olds, so I think we are capable of doing this,” she said. “I think we can do it, and we’ve heard from staff it can be done as well. At the end of the day, people want a safe place to walk. I believe this would increase the number of seniors who use Servus Place.”
