On Monday, May 25, Vernon Council will consider proposed updates to the City’s recreation fee structure as part of the Regular Council Meeting, in preparation for the opening of the Active Living Centre (ALC) in late 2026.
The proposed changes are intended to simplify recreation pricing, modernize membership options, improve customer service and support participation from Vernon residents and surrounding communities, and maintain Council’s established cost recovery targets for recreation services. They aim to simplify pricing and make rates more consistent across similar services.
Simplifying recreation fees and memberships
The proposed modernization would streamline recreation admission into three core options:
- Single Visit
- 10-Pass
- Membership
Council will consider introducing a recurring monthly membership option alongside annual memberships, providing community members with more flexible access and lower upfront costs. The proposed membership model would include expanded member benefits and household bundling options designed to support regular participation.
Supporting long-term sustainability
The opening of the ALC will add more recreation opportunities in Vernon, including expanded aquatics, fitness, and community programs. It will also increase operating costs, which means the City will need more people to use the facility and generate more revenue to support long-term sustainability.
The proposed fee changes are meant to better match the cost of providing recreation services while keeping prices affordable and encouraging more people to become members.
For Vernon residents, under this proposal:
- Single Visit and 10-Pass rates would increase approximately 16 per cent
- Annual memberships would increase approximately 2 per cent
- Monthly memberships would decrease approximately 34 per cent
This new proposed membership model also offers discounted add-ons for family members.
Together, the proposed changes are expected to increase annual admissions revenue while strengthening the value of membership for regular users.
Changes to Vernon Resident Program
Council will consider updates to the Vernon Resident Program, which recognizes that Vernon, District of Coldstream and Electoral Areas B & C residents help pay for recreation services through taxes, user fees and funding agreements.
As part of the proposed changes, all visitors would pay a consistent single visit (drop-in) admission rate to access the facility, simplifying the fee structure and improving ease of use. This change will make things simpler and help encourage more people to use the facility as visits increase with the opening of the ALC.
Updated pricing structures for memberships, rentals, and programs will continue to reflect the contributions of Vernon, District of Coldstream and Electoral Areas B & C residents, while supporting broader access and participation from surrounding communities.
If approved, overall pricing will remain competitive and continue to support accessibility for both residents and visitors.
Preparing for the Active Living Centre opening
The proposed fee structure builds on Council’s 2023 Recreation Fees Assessment, which established a principles-based pricing framework focused on transparency, affordability, and balancing user fees with taxation support.
If approved, Administration will prepare amendments to the Recreation and Parks Services Fees and Charges Bylaw and return them to Council for consideration in June 2026.
For more details, view the upcoming Council agenda package outlining the proposed amendments for Council’s consideration.
Join the meeting in person or online. View the Council Meetings page for details.