The Wildrose Party is calling on the Alberta government to reverse the decision to charge families entrance fees to the Sikome Aquatic Facility in Calgary’s Fish Creek Provincial Park.
“Sikome Lake used to serve around 200,000 beachgoers and leisure-seekers every year and at no cost, but since the NDP levied a $10 fee to use the lake on families, attendance has plummeted. Up to July 24, only 4,400 Calgarians bought a day pass for the lake,” the Wildrose said in a Friday statement.
The province said in a June statement the fees will allow Sikome to expand its capacity, upgrade facilities and extend the swimming season past Labour Day. Fees range from $2 to $10 for a day pass. Season passes range from $25 to $100 for a family pass for unlimited access.
Watch below: Getting into Sikome Lake will no longer be free. Global’s Bindu Suri reports on June 17.
In an unofficial poll when the fees were announced in June, Global News asked if users should have to pay to visit Sikome Lake. Just over 60 per cent said “no, it should be free” while 35.36 per cent said “yes, users should pay for the upgrades.”
READ MORE: Calgary’s Sikome lake opens in June but you will have to pay to play
With files from Shauna Smith Duncan
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