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By Jordan Parker

City council talks Eastlink Centre

Nov 15, 2017 | 3:41 PM

The City of Grande Prairie is looking to decrease a projected $6.8 million shortfall, but the proposed plan would see an increase their funding of the embattled Eastlink Centre to the tune of $1.5 million.

The Eastlink Centre — which ran a $1.75 million deficit in 2014 — saw a significant loss in its membership last year and a large number of spontaneous visitors after staffing shortages caused pool access to be restricted.

In a presentation to council, City Manager Robert Nicolay said belief in the centre from the public “dropped significantly.”

Yet in every budget scenario — with or without tax increases — for 2018, the Eastlink Centre is recommended to get that extra money.

“Grande Prairie City Council have started three days of budget deliberations where administration have begun to present the range of issues facing the City.  Over the next two days, a number of recommendations will be brought forward for Council to consider,” wrote Bob Nicolay in an emailed statement.

“Eastlink Centre is a world-class facility with great employees. Initiatives are already underway to earn the confidence of the community and to increase revenues.”

In March, access to the pool was restricted, which drew the ire of social media of residents. The centre said it was because they were short-staffed.

What followed was a mid-April was a three-week shutdown for maintenance and lifeguard training.

The new schedule turned into slotted times rather than a spontaneous use model, and membership prices and models changed in May 2017. People were at that time able to discontinue their memberships without paying the $60 cancellation fee.

The reasons for the recommended $1.5 million funding are not yet clear.

The second of the three daily deliberation sessions is today, and will include budget discussion for infrastructure and protective services, as well as community living.
 
 

by Jordan Parker