Weyburn residents will see a slight increase across the board for all recreation facilities in Weyburn beginning September 1st. Weyburn City Council approved the new rate structure proposal during their regular meeting last Monday.

The increase averages around a dollar, for example, for a single swim, and the rates are locked in until August 31, 2025.

Find the full rate change proposal in the last section of the Council Agenda, HERE.

As for the reason for the increase, the province will be applying PST to the total charge for taxable admissions, entertainment and recreation in relation to a place or facility or a seminar, activity, or event in Saskatchewan as of October 1, 2022. Since PST must be collected on admission fees, participation fees, activity fees, membership fees, administration, and service fees, the City has adjusted the Leisure Service Fees to incorporate the additional six per cent PST.

Leisure Services Director Andrew Crowe emphasized during his presentation for City Council that the Leisure Services Department continues to seek funding opportunities and work with local organizations to implement inclusive and welcoming programs and events to the entire community. 

"We recognize and aim to eliminate barriers holding people back from participating in healthy sport, culture, and recreation services wherever possible," he told.

Crowe pointed out that the public has opportunities to take advantage of a regular special rate for swimming, with the $5.00 family swims on Sunday evenings, and the $2.00 parent and tot swims on Tuesdays. 

In addition, there are a number of free public swimming events, free weekday open skating at the Tom Zandee Sports Arena, free Young Fellows Public Skating at the Tom Zandee Sports arena on Sundays, free access to paddling pool and spray parks, free access to numerous outdoor parks, green spaces and amenities, and free access to the Credit Union Spark Centre outdoor multi-sport rink.

For those who regularly take advantage of the facilities, the City has been making a Super Pass available as a monthly, 3-month, or 6-month, or annual pass for the Leisure Centre's pool and the Credit Union Spark Centre's amenities. This fall, they'll introduce the Super Day Pass, which will allow the same privileges, but just for one day.

Beginning in September, families and individuals will be able to have a day of unlimited access to the Weyburn Leisure Centre's pool and hot tub, the Credit Union Spark Centre's walking track, the MNP Play & Climb, and more. 

"We're just trying to make things more accessible, less expensive for people to get from one facility to the next, so it's hard things don't happen for free," said Crowe. "We have to charge something, but if we can try to make it as enticing to the public as possible, it helps get the best bang for your buck."

Crowe said they're still working through the logistics of it all, but it will most likely be a wristband or something similar that would get people into the two facilities as needed.

"Then that'll clear you for the whole day. No matter where you go, you can come and go, and do whatever you want. So you could go to multiple swims, or you could go to the play and climb, and swim, and then back to the turf, or however you wanted to do it." 

While the rates are increasing, the City of Weyburn is ensuring there are plenty of options for those who like to stay active.