By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Why drop-in/membership fees at the Cor Van Raay YMCA are more expensive than other city facilities

Apr 9, 2019 | 1:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE – After three years, and more than $110 million dollars from the City of Lethbridge’s Capital Improvement Program, a donation of $3.75 million from local businessman Cor Van Raay, and other monies, Phase Two of the ATB Centre will officially open to the public on May 4.

While the facility is owned by the City of Lethbridge, it will be run by the YMCA – similar to CASA – where the Allied Arts Council now runs it, but it was built with municipal funding and is owned by the city.

Back in Sept. 2017, City Council unanimously approved a nearly 41-year agreement, and operational funding for the YMCA’s first four years, on a sliding scale.

But after looking at some of the fees associated with its use, there are those left wondering whether it may be cost prohibitive for some families and individuals to use those new facilities.

Here is the breakdown of prices for drop-in, non-membership rates at the new YMCA which includes unlimited access to the fitness centre, fieldhouse, track, pool area, indoor play spaces and change rooms –  along with the general membership rates.

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Drop in rates:             

•                              $7.50- 0-12 years old
•                              $9.50- 13-17 years old/ 18-25 student with ID/ seniors 65+
•                              $14.25 – 26-64 years old
•                              $28.50 – Family (2 adults, 2 children)

Memberships per month:     

•                              $32 – per month 0-12
•                              $34- per month 13-17
•                              $40 -per month 18-25
•                              $55 – per month 26-64
•                              $49.50 – per month 65+
•                              $135 – per month for family (2 adults, up to 4 kids)

Ashley Matthews is the ATB Phase 2 Project Manager. He explains how there were many factors that went into determining pricing, including value for the dollar, comparative facilities throughout the province and cost recovery.

“The daily admissions we looked at, and we compared to other communities. And not only the facilities, but the amenities within the facilities, making sure we’re comparing oranges to oranges and apples to apples.”

A quick reference to the YMCA in Calgary shows that drop-in rates which give access to all city facilities (with the exception of the South Health Campus, which does not have a pool), are similar to those in Lethbridge (.35 less for a family of four pass for a full day drop in rate). Family monthly membership, depending on the number of family members would cost about the same or more per month, depending on the number of children and their ages.

Adult general monthly membership passes in Calgary are $74.75 compared with $55 for a general monthly membership in Lethbridge. Senior passes are the same price, while teen passes are $36 in Calgary versus $34 in Lethbridge, and student/young adult passes are $58 and $40 respectively. There are no family membership prices – however there are discounted rates in Calgary for each pass after one adult pass has been purchased at regular price.  “Plus or Extra” memberships are also more expensive in Calgary than they are in Lethbridge, along with the one-time non-refundable joining fees.

And while other city pool ( run by Recreation Excellence) drop-in and monthly passes cost far less than the YMCA rates, Matthews explains that the amenities are also much different.

“They are different kinds of facilities in terms of their operation. One is a single facility that the FUN pass is used at, a swimming pool. Where the new leisure centre is a variety of facilities under one roof, and your admission gets you into all of those facilities.”

According to the City of Lethbridge’s FUN Pass page, they could not be used at the old YMCA either. And they can’t be used to get into the Westminster Outdoor Pool, or the University of Lethbridge’s aquatic/sports centre.

However, a discount is available for those with a FUN Pass for drop-in rates at the university facility. That sort of discount isn’t being ruled out at the new YMCA, says Matthews.

“I can’t say that’s out of the question. I think right now what the YMCA is trying to do is get up and operating and see how everything is working and make adjustments based on operations and feedback they’re getting from their membership and the community.”

He also points out individuals and families can apply for assisted memberships. Anyone who is on AISH, EI, Alberta Works, Medical Insurance, or has a letter from an approved partnering program is eligible for reduced rates.

There are also subsidies for memberships though KidSport, JumpStart, City of Lethbridge Fee Assisted Funding, and Stay at Home Parent funding. If none of those options apply, the individual or family can also submit pay stubs or their latest tax information to see if they qualify for a reduced rate.

And ultimately, as is listed on their web page, the YMCA is a charity, and as such, will not turn anyone away due to their inability to pay.