After Langley Today published a news story about parents angry at the Langley Minor Hockey Association (LMHA) for the increased fees they are facing, a number of statements have been made about the costs of ice time for Langley sports organizations.
In rebuttal, Kevin Green, President of the LMHA, reponded in a Guest Column.
In that column, Green corrected Today regarding the extent of the increases in fees and justified the increases, for the growing organization, quoting costs associated with: ice time, team uniforms, goaltender equipment, as well as player and coach development.
Parents have said that they have been told ice time charges are one of the reasons for the increase in LMHA fees. Green argues that, since the organization keeps growing, more ice time is needed to accomodate all of the new players and teams.
As for ice time rates, Today asked the Township about ice time rates for the last three years and David Leavers, Director, Recreation, Culture, and Parks Division, was kind enough to provide the following breakdown of just how much ice time rental charges have risen or fallen over the last three years.
Currently there are four separate arena contracts in place that dictate the cost of facility access for Langley Minor Hockey as well as other ice sport user groups. The contracts are with: Sportsplex, GPC/ACA(Canadian Recreation Excellence), National Training Rink, and the LEC. Each of the contracts has a slightly different fee arrangement and subsidy. Generally speaking ? user groups contribute 35%-50% of the overall cost of ice time provision. As the overall costs increase ? the Township and the ice user groups share the burden of this. The Township?s cost increases are contractual. Existing contracts will expire after the 2013/2014 ice season. Council could increase or decrease its subsidy of this facility provision at any point. The Fees and Charges policy determines the amount that the community user groups will pay as a portion of the overall cost.
Sportsplex
At the Sportsplex the TOL?s subsidy is approximately 60% of the total market cost leaving the User Groups to pay 40%. Council has approved the contract that the TOL has with Sportsplex which stipulates that overall rental rates will increase by 1% in 2010, 3% in 2011, 4% in 2012, and 4% in 2013. The TOL portion of the increase as well as the user group portion of the increase goes up a corresponding amount in each of these years.
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George Preston Community Centre/Aldergrove Community Centre (Canadian Recreation Excellence)
At these two TOL owned facilities, the TOL?s subsidy is approximately 65% of the total market cost leaving the User Groups to pay 35%. The Council approved contract that the TOL has with Rec Ex stipulates that overall rental rates will increase by 3% in 2010, 3% in 2011, 3% in 2012, and 3% in 2013. The TOL portion of the increase as well as the User Group portion of the increase goes up a corresponding amount in each of these years.
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National Training Rink
There is an agreement in place between the TOL and Langley Minor Hockey (only), that the TOL will pay 50% of the total rental fees for all hours used at NTR throughout the year. The budgeted cost to the TOL is approximately $50,000 annunally.
Langley Events Centre
An agreement is in place for all minor sports to be subsidized for the use the LEC for a ?one game guarantee?. The rate charged to the User Groups for this time is $120/hour for prime time and $80/hour for non prime time. This represents a 60% subsidy with the user groups paying 40% of the market rate
If User Groups wish to book additional time over and above their ?one game guarantee?, the rate they are charged is $180/hour for prime time and $120/hour for non prime. This fee represents a 40% subsidy, with the user groups paying the remaining 60% of the market rate.
*This information is provided without a breakdown by individual ice user group. This information could be provided but would require a much more detailed analysis and would need to be completed by Keith Miller, Community Recreation Manager, who is on vacation this week and returns next week.
All user groups are dealt with equitably, pay the same rates, and are allocated time based on the Township?s Facility Allocation policy.
Note:
Langley ice sport user groups are subsidized by the City of Langley for all ice time allocated at Langley Twin Rinks.
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The LMHA receives an annual grant from Township of Langley taxpayers but, despite that assistance, operated at a loss last year. In addition, the organization has relied on a large gaming grant from the provincial government which, last year failed to materialize due to provincial cutbacks.
Source: http://langleytoday.ca/?p=12427
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