A DOWN Council committee has called for the cost of using the district’s leisure facilities to be frozen.
The local authority agreed at its annual rates meeting in February to increase the cost of using a raft of leisure services by two per cent to generate additional income of £17,000.
But members of the Recreation Committee argue that given the current economic situation, there should be no increase in fees and want the £17,000 deficit funded from elsewhere.
The call for the price freeze came at Monday’s meeting of the Recreation Committee when councillors also demanded a review of charges for hiring sports pitches and pavilions.
Councillors suggested if sports clubs were prepared to erect football nets and clean sports pavilions after they have used them, a reduced hiring charge should apply.
The proposal to freeze fees, which was unanimously agreed, was proposed by Castlewellan councillor Stephen Burns. He said many people and sports clubs are suffering in the current economic climate.
“We need to review our pricing structure as many of our pitches and sports pavilions are simply not up to scratch. It is important we review the charges we levy on each of our facilities. To have the same fee apply for all facilities, regardless of their condition, seems to be a little unjust,” he added.
Councillor Mickey Coogan said the council’s Rates Working Party will have to find the £17,000 elsewhere and believes this can be achieved.
Councillor Terry Andrews agreed with the price freeze and highlighted the importance of senior citizens, those on low incomes and the unemployed to be able to continue using leisure facilities across the district.
Councillor Colin McGrath said while leisure provision is heavily subsidised and resources are properly focused on certain groups such as pensioners and those from areas of need, it’s important the council doesn’t forget the many hard working families who also find times tough at the moment.
Mr. Macartan Bryce, the council’s leisure services manager, said by freezing the prices at their current level, £17,000 will have to be found from elsewhere. He said that already sports provision across the district is heavily subsidised.
He continued: “While some minor adjustments to charges at this stage may not materially affect income targets, major changes such as significant reductions will adversely affect the service’s ability to reach its revenue targets and thereby add to the current level of subsidy.”