A Napier City Council committee has decided against immediate increases of fees at the once controversial Bay Skate complex on the former Marineland site.
The decision was made at a finance committee meeting on Wednesday, rejecting recommended fee increases for Bay Skate. The venue opened as a council-owned facility in December 2016 amid the controversial end of the council's relationship with Sk8Zone which had operated on the former Napier Skating Club rinks, a feature of Marine Parade attractions since 1955.
Fee increases and restructuring had been recommended in a review aimed at increasing revenue and minimising impact on ratepayers, in line with council policy that revenue through fees and charges should be in the range of 40-59 per cent of operating costs. Revenue is about $190,000 a year.
No increase in entry fees was proposed, but there was a proposal to lift annual membership from $25 to $40, and increase venue hire from $10 to $30 an hour.
Council manager sport and recreation Glenn Lucas said councillors considered feedback, which included concerns for those less able to afford or absorb an increase and whose use of the facility might be threatened.
