The City of Delta could be introducing a new pass at its recreation facilities.
A staff report to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission recommended a “Fitness Only Pass” be implemented at the North Delta Recreation Centre, with the possibility that other rec facilities in the city will also get them down the road.
The city currently offers a facility drop-in pass that allows patrons to access multiple facilities and spaces within the facilities using the same pass. For example, if a patron wanted to swim at a facility, go to the gym at another and perhaps skate at another, within a single day, as long as the patron kept their wristband on, they could do so.
The report also notes that, likewise, that patron could also do all those things at one facility, within a day if the full services were available, provided they were wearing their wristband.
The fitness space at the North Delta Rec Centre was established in 2016 as part of the overall facility expansion.
When the expansion was completed, to entice potential patrons, an exclusive reduced drop-in pass was offered from August 2016 to February 2017. After the expiry of the reduced drop-in pass, many patrons that had moved over from the Sungod Rec Centre went back to Sungod.
Also, the ongoing construction at the adjacent North Delta Arts Centre, parking lot and neighbouring residential development has had an impact on access to the North Delta Rec facility for the past couple of years, which may have been a deterrent to potential patrons, the report explains.
"The Centre does not have a year round pool, hot tub or sauna, therefore there is a case to introduce a fitness only pass. Several Lower Mainland cities offer passes for specific facility uses: i.e. gym only pass, fitness centre pass, pool only pass, etc. In reviewing single use passes offered by the cities of Richmond, Surrey and Burnaby, the drop-in rate average is about $5 per adult, per visit."
“Seniors rates are slightly lower at about $4.30 per visit. By comparison, private facilities like the new Club 16 Gym at the Tsawwassen Commons charges $8 bi-weekly, plus an initiation fee of $79.99 and an annual membership fee of $49.99, for a total cost the first year of $234. Introducing a fitness only pass at the Centre is logistically possible and can be accommodated by providing a separate wristband for these patrons. It will require additional supervision by staff to ensure access is limited to the fitness space only. As an incentive, and in order to encourage use a one-time drop-in fee of $3.75 will be charged to patrons to try the fitness space at the Centre.”
The report adds that patrons at other Delta recreation facilities have asked staff to introduce a fitness only pass. If the city proceeded on that route, how it would be implemented still has to be worked out.
