Air Ronge council have a big decision to make at their regular meeting this evening. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

cost sharing

Details of options to lift Air Ronge recreation user fees released

Sep 16, 2025 | 1:07 PM

A decision before Air Ronge council at a regular meeting this evening will have a big impact on local recreation users.

Council members will be discussing five options sent to them from La Ronge council in regard to the lifting of user fees, which are set to begin this month.

La Ronge is ready to start charging Air Ronge residents enrolled in an activity that uses the Mel Hegland Uniplex $1,000 per season, or if they enrolled in an activity that uses town outdoor facilities, at $100 per activity. In addition, renting a town facility will be increased by 300 per cent of the applicable regular rate, and village resident registration in town programs will be at 100 per cent cost recovery.

The five choices before Air Ronge council are:

Increasing the 2025 recreation contribution to the town to $85,000, which will revert the contribution to the 2024 funding level that was agreed to by the parties.

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Keep the 2025 recreation contribution to the town at $40,000, provided the village approves a motion to increase the recreation contribution to $130,000 in 2026.

Keep the 2025 recreation contribution at $40,000, provided the village approves a motion to provide annual, per capita deficit funding to the town in support of the unique recreation services currently operated by the town effective 2026. Such funding would be conditional to a governance system being offered that provides the village with an equitable say into such recreation services.

Keep the 2025 recreation contribution at $40,000, provided the village approves a motion to provide annual, per capita deficit funding to the Mel Hegland Uniplex effective 2026. Such funding would be subject to establishing a Mel Hegland Uniplex Recreation Authority that is comprised of equal town and village representation (among other representation agreed to by the parties).

Keep the 2025 recreation contribution at $40,000, provided the village approves a motion to apply with the town for Targeted Sector Support Initiative funding to participate in an independent review of recreation spending and explore alternative regional governance models including, but not limited to, amalgamation.

“Town council shares the ice user group concerns about the impact of village recreation user fees,” a letter from La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski states.

“It is our hope that the diversity of options presented above will facilitate a new accord with the village and result in the immediate suspension of these fees. Regardless of the outcome of this proposal, the town remains committed to exploring regional recreation and equitable cost sharing arrangements with the village.”

A delegation, which will include a representative from Mel Hegland Uniplex user groups, will also be at the meeting to ask council to reconsider the recreational funding they have earmarked for next fiscal year.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com