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Tackling Childhood Obesity by Increasing Recreation Fees? |
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Contributed by Jim Elliott
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Monday, 02 April 2007 |
Fees to rise an average eight per cent
We have heard of the growing epidemic about childhood obesity and that this might be the fist generation in a century that the longevity of our children might be lower than their parents. Then why is this city proposing to increase general admission fees to our recreation facilities?
In what might be seen as counterproductive, the City of Regina is proposing in its proposed budget documents increased general admission fees to most of its facilities.
A recent report on the prevalence of obesity in children has said that childhood obesity among 7 to 13 year olds has risen from 5% in 1981 to 17% in 1996 for boys and 15% for girls. We have heard numerous times in the last few months a growing number of people concerned about obesity in our children and in the general population. Then why is the City of Regina and our council proposing that we increase the cost of getting out to the recreation facilities, our swimming pools and our golf courses? Admission fees to many of the city facilities will go up an average of 8.0%.
The Youth 3 month leisure pass will go up $7.00 to $94.00. The adult pass will go up to $125 from $116. My first question is which child in the inner part of this city has $31.33 a month to put into their recreation and general exercise regiment? And it doesn't just cost that much. There are at least runners to purchase, equipment fees if you are into other programs, getting to the facility. If you are into skating in the winter and want to use the arenas, their price is going up $5 per hour for tournaments or youth time.
And by the way, the people organizing the programming using these same facilities are now having to pay more and if they want to cover their costs, charge more of the child or parent. That is your Skate Regina, Hockey Regina, the Outdoor Hockey League and the Zone Boards.
If this community wants to be seen as competitive, wouldn't it be a nice feature of this community that we could boost and say that obesity is lower than the national average and going down and that this city is the most active in Canada and that recreation fees are lower than others or non-existant?
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Written by pelliott on 2007-04-04 16:28:46
Meanwhile, there's money to replace the turf at Taylor Field or whatever it's called these days - the City is contributing half the $1.2 million. I don't know what to think of this. On one hand, sport is culture, and I like supporting culture. On the other hand, why does Mosaic get its name on the stadium instead of us? And why will it cost me more to go to Wascana Pool this summer? And why are other cultural undertakings, like the Arts Festival, getting the squeeze? Any thoughts out there? Turf the turf, or bring it on? |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 April 2007 )
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