A cooling dip in Port Moody’s two outdoor pools might be getting a lot cheaper this summer.
On Tuesday, May 14, council will consider a staff recommendation that the admission fee for swimming be reduced to $2.
Currently, regular admission fees range from $2.25 for children and teens to $6.15 for adults between the ages of 19 and 59.
Families of at least one to two adults plus children pay $3.80 each plus taxes. Evening swims between 6 and 8 p.m. are $2 for everyone.
According to Nathan Taylor, Port Moody manager of recreation, the proposed fee reduction would bring the city more in line with the fees charged by nearby communities: Coquitlam charges $2 for all users, admission to pools in Port Coquitlam and Surrey is free while swimmers under the age of four get into New Westminster’s pools for free and everyone else pays $2.
“The proposed change would improve access to outdoor swimming and support increased participation by reducing financial barriers,” said Taylor in his report, adding a consistent fee structure across the board will also be easier for staff to administer.
Taylor said the reduced fees would cost Port Moody almost $18,000 in revenues if the number of admissions this coming season is the same as last year.
But that could be offset if more people decide to take advantage of the lower charge and head to the city’s pools when they want to get relief from the heat or just a good workout.
