Councillors here have no problem offering reduced fees for students at Aberfoyle Public School.
On Dec. 17 council reviewed a letter from Aberfoyle Public School staff member Jamie Skeoch asking for an exception to the township’s current pricing structure for skating at the community centre.
“For the past few years we have really enjoyed taking classes to the rink. It has been a very positive experience and we love the facility and being able to use it.” Skeoch said.
The previous pay structure was $2 per student per visit.
Rather than tallying the number of skaters per visit, they worked it out to an average of 20 skaters per class (due to absences or students opting not to skate).
This meant a total of $40 per visit.
Current rates for off-peak hourly use are now $78 plus HST and Skeoch said the school hoped to have the previous rates apply.
“One of the main reasons for this is our school has covered all costs for the past two years. This has meant free skating for all students. We would love to continue to make this a free experience. If we were to pay the full $88.14 per visit we would likely need to start charging students.”
Council was quick to decide to allow the reduced rate.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer commented when it comes to waiving or reducing fees “we are not only doing it for the community but to expose the facility to future clients.”
He wondered if the township had any handout materials for the users “so their families and neighbours know this facility is here.”
That way, Bulmer said, they could use the event as marketing.
The township currently has no such materials.
Mayor Dennis Lever agreed that it would be a good promotion for the hockey tournament on the Family Day weekend.
Remaining councillors agreed it was worth pursuing.
Councillor Wayne Stokley agreed with the concept, but doubted the school board would allow such handouts to the school children.
He said there are specific policies regarding the handout of such materials to the student.
“It requires board approval and that in itself is a bit of a task,” Stokley said.
