The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation has approved a fee hike for the use of board-operated facilities next year.
Commissioners voted Monday night to raise fees and charges by a recommended 6 per cent “to recover all or a portion of overall operating costs.”
The board claimed, “The recommended changes for the 2025 Fees and Charges are consistent with Park Board policy and reflect a careful consideration of market and customer impacts, including a focus on affordability.”
For access to the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, Bloedel Conservatory, and Celebration Pavilion, staff recommended the 6 per cent baseline hike, plus a 3 per cent amenity improvement fee.
For tickets aboard the Stanley Park Train, staff recommended a hike of 8 per cent plus the same improvement fee.
The increases will bring the cost of a 12-month adult pass to public pools, arenas and fitness centres in Vancouver to a little more than $550.
The board says the recommended fee changes are expected to generate roughly $4.4 million of base incremental revenues in 2025
In a release ahead of the vote Monday, the Stanley Park Preservation Society says the fee increases follow an “unjustified” $17.9 million logging operation approved by the board last month.