New rates to rent Stettler Community Hall have now been “grandfathered” by town council.
Adopted at its meeting Feb. 19, Town of Stettler council approved a grace period at its meeting last Tuesday, responding to a Stettler Independent letter from a young couple upset with the sudden change.
“For people who had existing reservations for the hall before the increase, we will honour them,” Mayor Dick Richards said.
He acknowledged that when rates were increased, council didn’t confirm the date they became effective.
“The rates from the previous policy will be grandfathered to prior bookings,” said Greg Switenky, the town’s assistant chief administrative officer.
The damage deposit and checklist became effective to all bookings after Feb. 19, he said.
The town says rates were increased to help reduce the facility’s ever-increasing deficit, which has been projected at $54,000 this year.
“Staff believes this increase will raise about $10,000 a year, so it will reduce the deficit to about $44,000,” said Rob Stoutenberg, the town’s chief administrative officer.
For a basic rental for a public meeting, funeral or similar event, the fee for one day with kitchen use rises to $425 from $275.
For weddings, the daily fee rises to $650 from $325 and $950 for three days.
Many groups and users have booked the hall for as many as three years in advance.
A checklist for users has also been introduced to help renters when they clean up, to ensure the hall is well-maintained, council was told.
Council also raised rates slightly for the Stettler Recreation Centre and other outdoor sports fields.
Stettler Recreation Centre rates are set annually to comply with council’s desire “for adults to pay 100 per cent and children to pay 50 per cent of an appropriate and/or proportional share of budgeted/recoverable expenses attributed to user groups.”
Those also include soccer fields and baseball/softball diamonds.