Keystone Centre to increase room, ice rental rates
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/07/2024 (521 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Brandon’s Keystone Centre is set to increase its room rental and artificial ice rental rates by about seven per cent and 15 per cent respectively as part of its 2024-25 budget to address rising operational costs, board chair Bruce Luebke has announced.
In April, the centre announced plans to increase its room and ice rental rates and environmental fees to better align with operational costs.
This follows a projected operational loss of $1.2 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year and the declared operational loss of $1.128 million in the previous fiscal period.
Coun. Bruce Luebke (Ward 6), who serves as Keystone Centre board chair, has informed Brandon city council that the centre will raise its rates for room rental and artificial ice time. (File)
Luebke, at the Brandon City Council meeting on Monday, said the board met at a special meeting on July 24 and approved the 2024-25 budget and business plan, which runs from Aug. 1 to July 31.
“The Keystone Centre will increase room rental rates by approximately seven per cent for all rooms and approximately 15 per cent for artificial ice rental rates,” Luebke, who is a councillor for Ward 6, told council. “The increases are projected to approximately add $700,000 to our revenue next year.”
In addition to the rate hikes, the Keystone Centre is anticipating new revenue streams from Westoba Place and the newly constructed loge boxes/suites.
“They are expected to generate a new revenue stream of about $100,000 in next year’s budget,” he said.
Loge suites are areas of semi-private premium seating with in-suite service, bordered by a railing. They have enough space for people with mobility issues.
Luebke said the budget includes an operational deficit of $616,902 and capital spending under $7.3 million, adding it is based on a one-year business plan to maintain operations while efforts are being made to return to normal.
The increase in rental rates is a response to the rising costs of electricity, water, natural gas and the associated carbon tax, along with negotiated salary increases for staff, as operating costs are expected to rise by just over nine per cent, he said.
Before operating grants, he added, the centre recovers $5.3 million of its operating expenses from user fees, which cover 89 per cent of operating costs.
However, the long-term financial planning of the Keystone Centre continues to face challenges.
“We continue to be hampered in long-term planning by our members’ indecisiveness in allowing us to explore land usage opportunities on the Keystone Centre grounds,” added Luebke.
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