Residents will pay more to use some of Slave Lake’s recreation facilities and programs beginning Sept. 1, as the town implements an updated schedule of recreation facility rates.
The changes affect memberships, drop-in admissions, swimming lessons and rentals at the Northern Lights Aquatic Centre (NLAC), Multi-Rec Centre (MRC), arena, fieldhouse, sports fields and walking track.
The town said the rates are reviewed and updated to account for rising operating costs, inflation and increases in energy and utility expenses associated with running large recreational facilities.
For regular users of the NLAC and MRC, the increases are generally modest.
An adult annual single-facility membership, for example, will rise from $414 to $450, an increase of $36. A youth/senior annual membership will increase from $324 to $360, while a family annual membership will rise from $774 to $828.
Drop-in rates will also increase. Adult admission will go from $5.75 to $6.25, while youth and senior admission will rise from $4.50 to $5. Child admission will increase from $3 to $3.25.
Swimming lesson fees are also being adjusted, although the increases are relatively small. A 30-minute lesson for children under 14, for example, will increase from $47 to $48.
Some facility rentals will see larger changes.
The hourly rate for an adult fieldhouse rental will increase from $102 to $120.75, while the youth rate will rise from $51 to $63. Adult sports-field rentals will increase from $26 to $38.85 per hour.
Arena ice rates will also increase. Winter youth ice rentals will rise from $88 to $94.50 per hour, while adult rentals will increase from $172 to $178.50.
Summer ice rates will rise from $135 to $141.75 for youth and from $269 to $283.50 for adults.
Not every rate is increasing, however.
Walking and running track fees will remain unchanged, while preschool access remains free.
Some six-month multi-facility memberships will also be slightly cheaper under the new schedule.
The town said the fee adjustents are intended to help offset the costs of maintaining and operating its recreation facilities, including expenses for maintenance, supplies and fuel, as well as the energy required to heat and power facilities such as the aquatic centre and arena.
The town also uses periodic policy indexing to keep user fees in line with regional market rates and consumer price index measures, while attempting to balance those adjustments with affordability for residents.
To help ensure the cost increases do not prevent residents from accessing recreation facilities, the town offers the Leisure Economic Assistance Program (LEAP), which provides support for eligible lower-income households.
The updated rates will come into effect Sept. 1, 2026, and apply to memberships, admissions, lessons, programs and facility rentals covered by the Town’s recreation fee schedule.
Residents are encouraged to review the updated rates before purchasing a membership or booking a facility.
William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader
