4 - Wednesday, May 22, 1996 — North Shore News School Parents to be pinched for costs BY IAN NOBLE News Reporter FEE increases for chil- dren’s groups using North Vancouver schools have spawned protests among the soccer set. The 1.600% rate. hike affects numerous — sports groups and youth groups such as Guides and Brownies, said Gail McKilligan. who volun- teers for youth soccer. “It ticks me off because | think this is the icing on the cake. This is the start of things to come in North Vancouver,” she said.. Government-appointed trustee Bob Smith said he’s looked at the new fees and heard ‘the. concems but won’t change the fee schedule. -’ “We're not out of line with the general norm out there,” he ‘said. The fees arc intended to allow the school district to. break even on rentals, net ’ make a profit, said Smith. The fee hikes are in response.to'a September 1995 staff report that said North Vancouver's rental rates for school facilities were well -below those charged in West Vancouver, Burnaby, Vancou- ver and Richmond. trustees at the time noted fees had not increased for years and they had the potential to produce revenue for the cash- strapped school district. The new rates were sup- posed to go into effect last fall. Youth groups targeted with fee increases raised a fuss and trustees decided to temporarily revoke the increase pending a review of the fee hikes, said Heal. However, trustees were fired before they had a chance to take another Jook at the fee hikes, said Heal. Heal added that the infor- mation in the staff report relat- ed to children's fees wus not accurate, West Vancouver, and other districts, do not charge for rentals to student groups, she said. On April 26, the school dis- trict sent a letter to all rental. groups that said new rates were in effect and no groups were exempt. Gail McKilligan books school gyms for pee wee soc- cer players aged six, seven and eight. She said fees have jumped from 50 cents an hour to $8 an hour in the district for youth non-profit community programs. In West Vancouver, similar groups are exempt from rental charges. Before the fee increases, “the North Shore Girls Soccer Club paid $410 for 820 hours of gym time. With the increase, the same _ 820 hours goes for $7,019.20, an increase of $6,609.20. some families to pay. the increase we are going to have to pass on to them.” she said. Les Sinnott, president of the North Shore Girls Soccer Club, said that the extra fees would not have much effect on the board's $5-million accu- mulated deficit, but would have a severe effect on the girls’ soccer club, The money could be hetter spent on coaching clinics for volunteer coaches and players, equipment, referee training, and awards, he said. “We expected oa fee increase.” said Sinnott. “We did not expect to be turned upside down and shak- en.” He has asked Smith to can- cel the fee increase or sched- ule a face-to-face meeting with him. Under the new rates in North Vancouver, local adult groups are charged $24 an hour for an activity room, In West Vancouver, the rate is $41.50 for up to three hours. For an elementary gym, North Vancouver rates are $27 an hour, while West Vancouver charges $41.50 for up to three hours. use fee increase hurts. 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