The pools in Gibsons and Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast Arena in Sechelt are operating at a deficit as of the third quarter report shared with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) on Oct. 22.
The three facilities have a projected shared deficit of $50,000 for the year due to “lower than anticipated revenues, specifically in registered programs and facility rentals,” a staff report stated.
Janette Loveys, the SCRD’s chief administrative officer, said staff took a close look at the numbers at the end of the third quarter to try to find out where some money could be recouped.
“What programs are planned, how solid are those registrations and how are they promoted before they’re built into the budget? So you will see a bit of a shift in the fourth quarter of this year in terms of those revenues and also some more cost containment on the expenditure side to match that,” Loveys said.
Despite the cost containment measures, the SCRD is still predicting a shortage of about $50,000 by the end of the year. As of the third quarter, the Sunshine Coast Arena, the Sechelt Aquatic Centre and the Gibsons and District Aquatic Facility shared a deficit of more than $53,000.
Howe Sound director Ian Winn noted children’s programming in particular was experiencing a decline in registration and challenged staff to look at the issue closely.
“Consider what needs to be changed in order to keep the kids active and adjust the cost of the program or the time of the program,” Winn said.
“Staff have noted it,” Loveys said. “It’s certainly a national trend but something that we need to build into our preplanning and marketing of those programs, so thank you.”
