One user fee is being reduced at Lumby’s Pat Duke Memorial Arena.
The White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee has decided to lower the dry floor rental rates at the arena in 2016.
“This will bring it into line with other communities,” said Rick Fairbairn, chairperson.
The adult dry floor rental will go from $84.93 to $78.50 an hour while youth rentals will drop from $43.03 to $39.25.
The school rate will shift from $43.03 to $39.25.
The goal of the new rates is to try and keep Pat Duke arena competitive with other facilities, including in Vernon.
“Groups are currently looking at booking less expensive spaces in neighbouring communities,” said Tannis Nelson, community development co-ordinator, in a memo.
“As the level of competition for dry floor time is not the same as it is for ice time, the current fee variance would likely result in the loss of bookings and subsequently, fee revenue.”
Dry floor rental rates will climb two per cent in 2017 instead of 2.5 per cent for other WVPRCAC fees.
Recognition policy pursued
A formal process will be developed to honour long-time or distinguished residents in Lumby.
The White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee has directed staff to develop rules for possibly naming parks or other facilities after individuals.
“It’s important that we have a policy to respond to these requests,” said Rick Fairbairn, chairperson, of the need for consistency and fairness.
The issue arose after Jo Ann Wallace asked WVPRAC and the village to name a park or road after Wally Chaput, the 91-year-old founder of Chaput Bros. Logging.
“A lot of truck drivers got their first shot at driving at Chaputs, and Wally and his brother Eddie employed a lot of men with their logging outfit and gravel business, thus contributing to the economy of the village,” said Wallace in a letter.
Wallace also points out that Chaput has also been very active supporting the community.