Irricana Town council approved increased rates for the Irricana Lions Community Hall rentals during its meeting on March 4.
The hall board hopes the rate increase of five per cent in the coming year will improve cost recovery to 65 per cent.
Councillor Peter Dunn, a board member, says the organization’s goal is to reach 75 per cent cost recovery after similar increases in rates over the coming years.
Deputy Mayor Larry Martin put a motion forward for the board to create a report on the sustainability of the community hall and where it stands in terms of cost recovery compared to other municipalities during the March 4 meeting.
“Ideally, I would like to see 100 per cent (cost recovery) or better but maybe that’s unattainable and that’s why I’ve asked for this report so we have a better idea from the board,” said Martin. “Maybe we can enhance our hall to make it more attractive to the casual user so we can improve the cost recovery.”
The hall board will present council with the sustainability report upon completion in one month’s time.
In 2011, the hall board’s expenses were $34,732.65, a decrease of 10.33 per cent from the year prior. However, expenses were still over budget by $225.54 because of unexpected repairs to the hall’s security system.
According to the council agenda, 55 per cent of revenue targets were reached for casual users while 80 per cent of those targets were reached for lease holders.
“What we’re trying to do is improve the facility so we can potentially get more outside usage on the weekends, like weddings and get-togethers,” said Dunn. “A lot of groups from other municipalities are coming to use our facility because it’s a good facility.”
Dunn said upgrades to the kitchen are necessary, as it is quite old, particularly the dishwasher. Last year, a new roof was installed at the Irricana Lions Community Hall because of some leaks.
“That’s why we’re thinking about getting some improvements so we can charge more because right now the kitchen is suffering,” said Dunn.
“We do put a lot of money into the sound system and different things in there so there have been quite a few improvements but I think the kitchen is the main area that is lacking.”
Dunn called the facility a focal point of Irricana.
“We’ve got lots of parking and lots of room inside to handle crowds. We’re starting to get more use for events,” he said, adding the campground next door gives the hall an additional incentive for weekend use.
“If they’re having a Friday to Sunday type of event, their participants can use the campground because … there’s only a couple bed and breakfasts in town.
“That campground being next to the hall, there’s ball tournaments and different things, sometimes they will want to have a banquet on a Saturday night as part of the function.”
