TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 7, 2025, Report No. P&R-25-005
TO: Council
FROM: Steve Knoke, Director Parks & Recreation
SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw Proposed 2026 Fee Increase
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council give first, second, and third readings to Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665, Amendment Bylaw, 2025, No. 3165.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The goal of the review of recreation fees and charges is to strike a balance between fiscal accountability, access to recreation services, and the current marketplace. The main driving force in 2025 is inflation. Proposed fee increases will not take effect until January 1, 2026.
BACKGROUND:
The Environment, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (EPRAC) completes an annual fees and charges review of Bylaw 2665 and Schedule C each calendar year (Appendix A). The proposed amendments to the Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw are outlined in the draft Amendment Bylaw No. 3165 (Appendix C). The current fees and recommended changes are shown in Appendix B.
Advisory Body Recommendations:
The Environment, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (EPRAC) reviewed the proposed changes on April 23, 2025. The committee members discussed and endorsed the proposed changes contained in this report.
ANALYSIS:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The principles and processes for the fees and charges rationale are identified in Bylaw No. 2665, Schedule C, section 3 and include:
• The direct cost of providing the service;
• Average pricing for comparable services in the Capital Region; and
• Subsidies provided to specific users.
Staff applied these principles when developing the proposed changes contained in the draft fee schedule (Appendix B).
Proposed changes to the fees and charges for January 1, 2026, include:
• Increase on rental fees (4%-10%)
• Increases (4-9%) to admissions and memberships with rounding
• Second year of blending of curling fees prime and non-prime (10%) rates over a 3 year period
• Pickleball rental 2hr minimum removed and rate adjusted (15%)
• Childminding session increases from 75mins to 90mins rate adjusted (25%)
• Food Truck Connection increase from 5$ to 10$ rate adjusted (100%)
• Ice - Adult Non-Prime market correction (25% increase)
• Ice - Youth Non-Prime market correction (25% increase)
• Ice - Commercial Non-Prime market correction (25% increase)
EPRAC completed a comprehensive review of Bylaw No. 2665 in June of 2022. (Appendix A). The bylaw continues to be relevant and applicable and requires no additional changes at this time.
Environmental Impact:
There are no sustainability or environmental implications.
OPTIONS:
1. That Council give first, second, and third readings to Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665, Amendment Bylaw, 2025, No. 3165.
2. That Council make additional amendments to Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665, Amendment Bylaw, 2025, No. 3165 and give three readings to the bylaw as amended.
3. That Council request additional information from staff.
4. That Council provide alternate direction to staff.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Engaged & Healthy Community
Good Governance & Organizational Excellence
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Minor increases to current admissions, pass rates and rental fees will continue to make recreation accessible to our community members and encourage them in a healthy lifestyle. Admission fees have been rounded for ease of payment.
User fees collected by the Township are used to reduce the tax requisition for the service and for the overall direct delivery of recreation services.
The goal in the review of recreation fees and charges is to strike a balance between fiscal accountability, access to recreation services, and the current marketplace. The main driving force in 2025 is inflation.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
Providing adequate notice in advance of any approved changes will allow users and user groups time to inform members of any changes that may impact existing user budgets.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
Proposed fee increase to take effect January 1, 2026
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
List all items attached to the Staff Report
1. Appendix A - Consolidated Version of Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665
2. Appendix B - Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665 with proposed amendments.
3. Appendix C - Draft Amendment Bylaw No. 3165