Hi Everyone,
Borrowing the headlines from Durhamregion.com (Story by Parvaneh Pessian). Is it just me or is this story an interesting one. Because last year was an election year the The Whitby Minor Hockey Association organization of more than 10,000 members, including 3,100 players and 6,000 parents, volunteers, referees and timekeepers thought they persuaded the Town to freeze ice and floor rental fees for the 2010 hockey season. When in reality it was an election year and if they raised the cost to the proposed 2.5-per cent fee increase it would have meant lost votes.
As I stated after the 2010 election the people of the Town of Whitby voted for TAX increases. Now there is a proposed increase in user fees before council again of 2.5 per cent to cover off additional costs to provide the operating and maintenance requirements of the facilities. Either way you cut it we the Tax payers will be on the hook to cover these costs. It's again spending more than what's in the trough. I'm all for everyone being able to put their children in hockey, but at what cost. The federal government allows for a Tax rebate on the fees paid for hockey and other related sports. So you will get some of your money back at the end of the tax year.
Here's a solution to the problem of higher fee increases to families and maybe Hockey associations across Canada can use this. The average fee for enrolment is close to 600 dollars per player so why not have 3 or 4 payment periods throughout the Hockey season that way a parent may be able to afford 4 payments instead of lump sum. You are always looking for ways to keep your costs down, you can also do a barter system where a Parent donates time to be a convener or volunteer somewhere else in the organization. By bartering the organization can put a price tag on what your volunteering for and at the same time they can cut costs. Therefor you eliminate some of the administration costs keeping the costs to parents down. This may or may not work but at least its something that could be investigated.
Isn't that why we elected these people for to look at solutions and offer advice. I know the price increase hasn't gone through yet, but it probably will as either a hockey parent will pay or all tax payers will.
If you have a solution that you think might help leviate the high costs for hockey send it to me and I will gladly post it. Idea's cost nothing to hear.
Thanks for your ears!
Scott Templeton
Sunday, February 13, 2011
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2 comments:
Instead of telling us we get a $500 tax credit which actually equated to a savings of $50 on my tax return lets give that money to families who need it costs rise we have noy had a substantial hockey fee increase in 4 or 6 years
The Tax credit is for families that can afford to put their children in sports. I agree it gave you a savings of 50 dollars on your tax return and if you can give that 50 dollars to those that can't afford it, then maybe you’re on to something here. Why don't we ask all those that received the 50 dollars to donate the return to a slush fund that would allow those that couldn't afford to put their children in sports and opportunity to borrow from this fund at no interest and pay back over a few years.
You say there hasn't been an increase in fees for hockey over the 4 - 6 years. Who do you think has been paying for that wrong? All tax payers, you, me and everyone else.
My point is there is other ways to combat the rising costs of all sports and that is to spread the costs out evenly over the course of the season. That way the rise in costs won't be affected all at once.
Did you know all other user fees that the Town charges were approved at the January 31st meeting? There were increases and I will share once i have the complete list. Ask yourself why only the Hockey fees were referred back to staff and none of the other increases?
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