TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
Rimbey arena users will have to dig a little deeper into their pocket to pay user fees this year.
At its regular meeting last Wednesday, council adopted a recommendation from the recreation board to impose a modest increase of $5 a hour for users with the exception of the school rate which will remain at $35 per hour.
A daily rate of $75 per day for school usage from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on regular school days will be charged.
The arena rates for youth are currently $55 an hour and $95 an hour for adults. Non-local youth are charged $75 an hour and non-local adults pay $105 an hour. Junior B teams pay $70 an hour.
“Rimbey is significantly lower than other communities,” said Coun. Paul Payson. “We (the rec board) felt it would be reasonable to have a modest increase.”
Payson noted that the arena is operating at $115,000 deficit.
Usage fees were increased by $5 an hour in 2010 and 2005.
Safety inspections planned for playgrounds
Council agreed with a recommendation by the rec board to conduct a safety inspection on all playground equipment on town land and remove any equipment that is deemed unsafe. The equipment on the 46th Avenue playground will be replaced with new equipment. The Lions Club will be invited to participate in planning for the replacement of the BMX playground in 2012.
Easement approved
Council complied with a request by public works to approve a property drainage easement of 15 metres on the east side of Central Alberta Raceways drag strip construction.
Equipment to be disposed
Council approved the disposal of a Rhino 72-inch, three-point hitch mower to the public auction.
First reading given to rezoning
Council gave first reading to a bylaw to rezone a large parcel of land for potential residential development. The previous council, in May of 2009, passed a bylaw to rezone the land, but the developer opposed the changes made from its original proposed plan.
The town and the developer now agree on proposed changes, but a revised rezoning bylaw cannot be approved until a public hearing is held. Council can then proceed with second and third readings.
The undeveloped land is located directly west of the community centre and north of the Best Western Hotel.
A public hearing regarding the rezoning will be held July 11 in the council chambers.