There can only be one: RDCK moves towards one recreation pass that fits all for its facilities
By Timothy Schafer
One recreation pass in the Regional District of Central Kootenay will now give the holder access to all the recreation facilities in the district, for one price.
Earlier this month the RDCK board passed a motion to pave the way for the first region-wide wellness pass, giving the holder access to all four facilities in the district.
Nelson and District Recreation Commission chair Ramona Faust said the wellness pass is an interesting concept.
“I can see business people who travel, and families with children who play sports in multiple cities and towns, really benefitting from an interchangeable pass,” she said.
The residents located centrally between community centres, and those residents that work in either community could benefit the most, said general manager of RDCK community services, Joe Chirico, in his report to the board.
“From statistics (we) know that currently there are approximately 250 pass holders in the areas between the communities,” he said.
The pass would provide “different recreation options for people,” added Faust.
“But it will have to make sense for people’s lifestyles,” she said. “Time will tell what the uptake is. It might be very useful while the NDCC pool is closed.”
Chirico agreed, noting there have been inquiries for such a region-wide pass, especially since the temporary closure of the Nelson pool was announced earlier this year.
The target for the wellness pass sales is 100 passes, or $42,600 of revenue for the year — with at least 75 per cent of the RDCK wellness pass sales in renewals or upgrades. The projected new revenue target is $13,845.
A resolution on the Oct. 15 board agenda directed staff to explore the potential of offering a region-wide recreation pass system. The impetus of the resolution came from the Creston Valley Services committee.
RDCK staff was tasked with exploring the potential of offering a region-wide recreation pass system.
After consultation with the various community services managers a report was considered by the board at its Dec. 10 board meeting, with the recommendations passing.
The admission pricing structure, what is offered at each community centre and the governance structures were different at each facility, said Chirico, meaning the wellness pass would have to be a unique offering.
The characteristics of the pass were deemed to be:
- The wellness pass would allow entry into all admission services that each facility provides. This includes fitness centre, aquatic, arena and gym during public admission times. Pre-registered, special events and specialty admissions were not included.
- The wellness pass pricing structure would be higher than the highest-priced, all-facility pass at any of the locations.
- “As this pass will provide a customer more value, the pass should be priced accordingly,” said Chirico in his report to the board.
- The wellness pass will be offered on term passes only. A term pass can be scanned multiple times each day and would not result in prepaid admissions being used.
This will be easier for people and facility staff to administer as the only requirement is for the pass holder to produce their wellness card, said Chirico.
“With other forms of admission the customer service teams would need to coordinate proof of admission — like a wristband — to allow one admission that could then be used at another facility,” he said.
However, the wellness pass characteristics may change. The parameters may be adjusted each fall after the board approves RDCK recreation commission recommendations for individual service admission prices.
The recreation managers will be advising the commissions in that capacity, said Chirico in his report to the board.
“The most common yearly adjustment would be price, and price structure,” he said. “As to other changes, those will be based upon political and public feedback.”
The wellness pass will also be subject to the RDCK leisure access program for all age categories. The program allows residents who meet financial criteria to receive a 50 per cent reduction in price of the wellness pass.
In addition, the Golden Guest Pass will be adjusted by February to allow entry into any facility at no cost. But the family pass will not be offered as a wellness pass.
Revenue from the RDCK pass will be collected in a community services work order, said Chirico in his report.
“On a regular basis the revenue will be distributed to the participating services based upon the swipes at each community centre,” he said.
Marketing material will be developed that communicates the pricing, benefits and services that pass holders can access at each complex (there will be differences).
The RDCK facilities affected will be the community complexes in Nelson, Castlegar and Creston, as well as the Salmo and District Fitness Facility.
