Rate hike approved for McLaren Arena

Ice users at a South Okanagan arena will soon have to start paying more.

Penticton City Council approved a seven percent rate hike at the McLaren Arena.

The even-numbered council faced a predicament during the debate as the votes kept ending in 3-3 ties; Dan Albas is on a leave of absence while he runs for federal office.

The councilors finally compromised.

The new McLaren rates will be brought up to about 95% of the regional average for ice rates.

However, Bruce Judd, the president of Penticton Minor Hockey, says he would have preferred to see the increase brought in gradually or kept to just five percent.

The increase will affect registration fees for players by $25 to $30, bringing to the total fee to $475.

Judd says he has no doubt that will mean fewer players will sign up.

Penticton City Councilor Judy Sentes says it is not the council’s intent to put a hardship on anyone.

However, there is some good news for ice users.

Global Spectrum, which runs the two ice sheets at the South Okanagan Events Centre as well as Memorial Arena, will not be following the city’s lead.

The company will instead opt for smaller increases for next season.

But those increases will first have to be approved by city council.