The city council of Kelowna, B.C., is considering implementing a program called the ‘Resident First Program’ which would prioritize access to recreational services and facilities for city residents over non-city residents. The idea is based on the concept that residents pay taxes and contribute to the funding of these facilities, so they should have priority access and potentially receive discounts or rewards for their patronage. The upcoming replacement of the Parkinson Rec Centre has brought renewed attention to this idea, which is already in place in numerous jurisdictions across Canada and B.C.
Cities like Vernon, Trail and Delta already have two-tier pricing systems in place, where non-residents pay more to access recreational services compared to locals. For example, in Vernon, non-residents pay double the adult drop-in cost compared to locals. However, residents from neighboring areas such as Lake Country may find this policy challenging, as they do not have comparable recreational facilities in their own jurisdiction. According to a staff report, a majority of recreational users in Kelowna are locals, with residents accounting for 72% of all drop-ins compared to 28% for non-residents.
The idea of prioritizing city residents for access to recreational services and facilities is a way to reward those who contribute to the funding of these amenities through taxes. The ‘Resident First Program’ aims to enhance the customer experience for residents who support these facilities financially. The upcoming construction of a new state-of-the-art facility in Kelowna has further spurred discussions about implementing such a program. While the concept is not new, it is gaining momentum in Kelowna and will be discussed by council to determine if further examination is warranted.
The two-tier pricing system, already in place in cities like Vernon, Trail, and Delta, demonstrates a model that has been successful in prioritizing locals for access to recreational services. Non-residents pay higher fees to use these facilities, ensuring that residents have priority access and potentially receive discounts. However, residents from neighboring areas without comparable recreational services may face challenges in accessing facilities in other cities where they are not residents. This creates a dilemma for residents who pay taxes to one jurisdiction but have limited access to recreational amenities in their own area.
The staff report highlighting the disparity in access between residents and non-residents to recreational services in Kelowna has raised awareness of the need to prioritize city residents. The ‘Resident First Program’ would ensure that those who contribute to the funding of these facilities receive enhanced benefits and rewards for their patronage. The majority of drop-ins in Kelowna are from residents, indicating strong local support for recreational services. The decision by council to further examine this program demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the customer experience for residents who fund these amenities.
Overall, the consideration of the ‘Resident First Program’ by the Kelowna city council reflects a growing trend in prioritizing city residents for access to recreational services and facilities. The success of similar programs in other jurisdictions demonstrates the potential benefits of rewarding residents for their financial contributions to these amenities. By exploring this concept further, Kelowna can ensure that its residents have priority access to state-of-the-art facilities and receive rewards for their patronage. This initiative has the potential to strengthen community support for recreational services and enhance the overall customer experience for residents.
