City Hall had no problem rolling out the red carpet for Olympic athletes, but when it comes to the kids down the block, there’s suddenly no cash for sports and rec. Rating: NNNNN
rinks on thin ice
What it costs for a public skate at most indoor rinks: $2.50 per visit
What it cost before amalgamation: $0
Length of time most outdoor rinks currently stay open during the winter: 2 months
Length of time outdoor rinks stayed opened before amalgamation: 4 months
What it costs to rent the ice at most indoor arenas: $185.11 per hour
What it cost before amalgamation: half that much
What it costs for a nine-session instructional skating program at most indoor arenas: $25 for children, $43 for adults
What it cost before amalgamation: $0
Other rec services T.O. residents used to get free before amalgamation: drop-in centre programs, day camp for kids, adult fitness programs
POOLS IN THE DRINK
Total number of swimming pools operated in the city: 113
Number slated for closure in public schools next year: 85
Number of school pools the city funded up until last week: 47
Number of school pools city will provide funding for now: 22
Amount it’ll cost the city to operate all school pools for a year: $12 million
Amount the city saved this year from reductions in recreation programs and adjustments in user fees: $19 million
Number of people who’ll be left high and dry by pool closure: 1.2 million
Number of people whose swimming classes will be cut: about 62,000
THE CASH COW: USER FEES
Percentage of city revenues from user fees: 18
Percentage of $6.1-billion city budget spent on parks and rec: 3
DIMINISHING RETURNS
Amount of each residential tax bill that now goes to parks and rec: $115.86
Amount that went to parks and rec before amalgamation: $80
Number of hours of recreational services per 100,000 people last year: 1,000
Number of hours of recreational services per 100,000 people this year: 750
WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW
· Proportionately more of T.O.’s revenue comes from user fees than any other municipality in the GTA.
Sources: City of Toronto office of economic development and tourism, parks and recreation department city auditor’s office budget advisory committee Toronto District School Board
