Yellowknife waives 2025 user fees for fieldhouse track, playground

Yellowknife residents with a New Year's resolution to get more exercise and save more money are in luck. 

Yellowknife city council voted in favour of waiving user fees for the fieldhouse track and playground in 2025.  

The decision is two-fold, as council hopes it can free up staff and prevent the city from needing to hire an additional cashier or booking clerk for the upcoming aquatic centre. 

The decision was made at city hall during a committee meeting on Wednesday to discuss the 2025 city budget.

It took two votes for it to happen, with the first motion narrowly being defeated 5-4. Then after further discussion on staffing and the use of online facility bookings, Coun. Ryan Fequet, who had initially voted against the motion, brought it forward again, where it passed 6-3. 

Mayor Rebecca Alty brought forward the first motion. She said she believed there were ways the city could staff the facility without relying on an additional cashier or clerk. 

"It's also that opportunity to provide that free recreation when it's cold or smoky," she said. 

In the initial round of discussions, administration did note several concerns around the plan, specifically health and safety. 

"We do have a requirement to provide a safe workplace," said Kerry Thistle, director of economic development and strategy.

"We also have a working alone policy."

Stephen Van Dine, Yellowknife city manager, said that there would need to be another employee present if there was no booking clerk. 

"We would need another set of eyes," he said. 

"Whether there's another position or whether we need to perhaps consider security." 

But as the meeting progressed and council discussed staffing the aquatic centre, Coun. Fequet said he was confident the fieldhouse would be able to manage with the available staff.

"I think that opportunity still exists to allow administration to be flexible with the current positions that they have," he said. 

"And still give a benefit to residents without costing residents greatly." 

The free access will go into effect next month.

Grant White, Yellowknife's director of community services, said before the vote that if it went ahead, people who purchased passes with the intention of using only the track and playground could request a refund.