The City of Ottawa is proposing to raise recreation fees for users.
After a four-year freeze, programs could become more costly for the city to run. This has spurred a two-per-cent increase that, depending on the program, will be implemented either May 1 or Sept. 1.
The fee increases are projected to bring a $250,000 revenue increase, according to the 2015 City of Ottawa budget recommendations.
It is certainly far from the focus of the budget; in fact you would have to read through with a fine-toothed comb to notice the change, as a tax hike and finances to combat gangs were the focal points proposed.
Hopefully, the rise in prices will give community recreation centres the financial flexibility to ensure the programs run smoothly.
Unfortunately, the proposed change should have little to no direct impact on Centretown residents who seek physical recreation within the community.
The community features only two city-run locations, the McNabb Community Centre and the Jack Purcell Community Centre and Pool.
Why are there not more locations like this for Centretown residents?
The 33 recreational sites in the neighbourhood are well below the city-wide average of 42.
Outdoor activities are at a premium in the neighbourhood.
The Rideau Canal is realistically the only location for anyone to find a good workout outdoors, whether it is skating in the winter or biking and running in the summer.
The majority of green spaces located in Centretown are gardens or small parks where there is not enough room to play even a friendly game of soccer or touch football.
A more appropriately sized park does exist in the Southwest corner of the neighbourhood, but it is in much need of improvement. The City of Ottawa needs to allocate funds to the improvement of McNabb Park, at Gladstone St. and Bronson Ave.
There is a tentative plan to upgrade the park by repainting the basketball court, planting new trees and even adding a new jungle gym.
The current version of proposed upgrade plans is still under review for the park, but need to be put into action soon for the benefit of the physical health of the community. LeBreton Flats also seems like a wonderful location to add more space for outdoor activities.
All four of the proposals submitted to the National Capital Commission include new green space as part of the redevelopment.
Nothing is clear at this point as to how much of the proposed changes will include green space, and it is certainly not the focal point, but it could make for a good location to add space for community activities.
Consider this for a moment: If there were ample space for both a new arena and a park at Lebreton Flats, it would greatly add to space available for residents to perform activities.
True, the arena would primarily be for the Ottawa Senators, but the Canadian Tire Centre holds minor hockey and recreational hockey when the ice is vacant and it could certainly be expected to continue.
Centretown is in need of more recreation space and it is worth a slight increase in fees, but only if the money will be cycled back into the community.