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‘Near pre-pandemic service levels’ for Penticton’s recreation and culture programs

Majority of financial targets for start of 2022 are on track despite staffing shortages, city says
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Revenues through public swims are up 71 per cent since the first quarterly update in 2021, with a total of $137,971 brought in as a result of the service. (City of Penticton)

Proof of vaccination requirements and limited staff resources have held back a number of recreation and culture services from returning to pre-pandemic levels in Penticton, city staff member Kelsey Johnson said on Tuesday, April 5.

Johnson, the manager of recreation, arts and culture, stood before council to provide a quarterly update on the financial performances of Penticton’s most prominent public programs from Jan. 1 to March 31.

“Both those factors have affected the programs and the hours we can offer of a particular service,” she said.

“But other than that, I’m happy to report that we are just about back.”

The city’s community centre, Cleland Theatre and McClaren Arena were among the venues mentioned by Johnson in her presentation.

“We are at near pre-pandemic operating hours at the community centre, however, we do have some service level impacts due to a workforce shortage,” she said.

Revenues through public swims are up 71 per cent since the first quarterly update in 2021, with a total of $137,971 brought in as a result of the service.

Staffing shortages and COVID-19 mandates, however, forced select community centre programs to operate at only 30 per cent of what the city was able to provide before the start of the pandemic, Johnson added.

“Additionally, we are at 45 per cent of our aqua fit instruction (program), so this is just highlighting the severity of the shortage that we are facing here with some services that are highly valued by the community.”

Even though the community centre is offering reduced services in its aquatic programs, the city is still seeing “major growth” year-over-year in rentals, public swims and lessons.

Revenues from pool rentals and swim lessons are up to six per cent and eight per cent, respectively, since the first quarter of 2021.

“We can say that our 2022 financial revenue targets, specifically in our aquatics area, are on track,” Johnson added.

Services at McClaren Arena saw among the largest increases in revenue during the first quarter of 2022, with over $11,000 generated from skating lessons resulting in a 165 per cent increase from early 2021.

The over 3,000 visitors to the city’s museum and archives since Jan. 1, as well as the presence of the inaugural Ignite the Arts Festival at Cleland Theatre helped the recreation, arts and culture department in reaching its revenue levels for the first quarter of 2022.

Johnson concluded her presentation to council stating that the 2022 recreation and culture is on track.

READ MORE: B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card no longer required as of April 8


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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