New Recreation Facility Rental Fees in South Frontenac

Jeff Green | Dec 11, 2024

Starting January 1, all users of South Frontenac’s indoor and outdoor recreation facilities will be charged an updated user fee rate. The 2025 rates are the result of a nearly two-year study aimed at updating the township’s fees, and the allocation process for recreational facilities.  

"This study marks the most comprehensive review of our recreational services fees in the township's history," says Mayor Ron Vandewal. "The new fee schedule reflects Council's commitment to balancing the operational needs of our facilities and user groups, with the responsible management of municipal taxes. The new fees treat all user groups across the township fairly and the same." 

The affected indoor facilities include Harris Park Hall, the Storrington Centre, Sydenham Library Community Room, and Glendower Hall.  The affected outdoor facilities include Centennial Park, Davidson Beach, Gerald Ball Memorial Park, Gilmour Point Park, McMullen Park and Beach, Sydenham Point Park, Battersea Ball Park, Dave Bowes Memorial Park, Glendower Park, Inverary Ball Park, Latimer Park (Heska), Wilmer Ball Park, Harris Park, Princess Anne Park, and Tett Park. 

The new rates are divided into three categories based on residency and the level of community benefit: 

Category One: Resident groups with high community benefits, such as youth, seniors’ groups, and not-for-profit organisations, will have the lowest user fees. 

Category Two: Resident groups primarily comprised of adults, which may or may not be open to the public, will have slightly higher fees than category one users. 

Category Three: Non-resident, corporate, and for-profit users will be charged the highest fees. 

The new fee schedule was approved at the December 3rd meeting of South Frontenac Council, but the vote was not unanimous.

The two dissenting votes came from the councillors from Storrington District, Ron Sleeth and Norm Roberts.

When contacted, Ron Sleeth said that while he supports charging fees for groups captured under categories 2 and 3, he does not support charging youth and senior groups.

“My particular interest is in the seniors’ groups,” he said in an interview with the News. “I think it is a slap in the face for seniors’ to pay for facilities that they helped to build many years ago. I get the idea that they want all users to pay, but there is no way user fees can cover even a portion of the cost of running these facilities, so it might as well be fully paid from the township budget.

Private functions, like weddings, and non-township groups, that’s a different story, but particularly for seniors, I’m against it.”

Norm Roberts said “when the new fee structure was being developed by township staff and the consultants, they did not recognise the old agreements with sports clubs and seniors’ groups.

“I didn’t appreciate that. That is my issue with it.”

In order to address some of the concerns expressed by Council, existing user groups who previously did not pay user fees will transition to the new rates gradually over a two-year period. This phased approach ensures a smooth adjustment period, allowing these groups to continue thriving within our community. New users are subject to the 2025 rates. 

Municipal facilities are available for rent for recreational games, tournaments, private, and public events. For more information about renting a facility, please visit www.southfrontenac.net/rentals.