Affordable try it activities
I was browsing a catalog from the town of La Salle and the city of Windsor. There are many affordable try it options to take a class and just try something new. For example, to try tap dance lessons for 8 week for a 6 year old has a cost of $30. My son tried dance at the complex when he was 2. He was not keen on the idea of not being with his mother as the policy was no parental watching. That made me and my son uncomfortable. I signed up it was $300.00 my son went to one class. I explained I was uncomfortable leaving him without being able to watch. My deposit of $100 was kept because it is non refundable. I thought that was crazy!
I would love my children to try different activities. I would like to try new adult activities also there's no reason why a high school student that is familiar with dance, hockey, knitting, etc can't be hired for min wage by the town and a class size of 15 children or adults be sufficient to run a class. The trick is to make things affordable to all townspeople to partocipate more, and continue to build a sense of community.
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Mayor John Paterson commented
We are currently under a major review of all the programs offered at the Kinsmen Complex. Hopefully some positive changes will occur in 2016 and beyond. Again, I will make sure the Rec Dept. reads this input.
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Sandra commented
Essex has some great activities for young families to try out for 6 -9 weeks at 30-40 a session. That is reasonable and it keeps kids active with caregivers.
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Mayor John Paterson commented
Anonymous, in order to access Town facilities for the event, costs are incurred on several levels, from staffing at the complex, to Public Works setting up and taking down barriers, and Policing for the routes. The group that organizes this event in particular, donates a good portion of their proceeds to the Municipality for the purchase of various assets to be used in our community, so in the end, the money does stay here in Leamington. As well, our local hotels, motels, restaurants and business receive revenue from the visitors who participate and stay for the event. Regardless if volunteers did the whole event or Town Staff were somehow involved, ***** Works, access to the pool and staffing costs, rental of time clocks and P.A. system and Policing costs would still have to be paid by someone. It may be worth a shot, but I can tell you, we do not have the staff to take the lead.
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Anonymous commented
Mayor if expenses are that high from an outside organization could we not run it ourselves seeing as the majority of the people that participate and volunteer are from Leamington. That way the revenue can stay in our town. I heavily sponsored even and an event heavily volunteered by our townspeople should not warrant the amount of lost revenue for the town to help offset some of the complexes other expenses. The fees are very high
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Mayor John Paterson commented
Mandi, that sounds like a good idea and a discussion we may have had not too long ago. I'll make sure our Recreation Department reads it. As far as the Triathlon goes, that is run by a separate organization, not the Municipality. They must pay some significant policing costs as well as other associated expenses to hold the event so the entry fee doesn't surprise me. Mayor Paterson.
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Anonymous commented
Looking at Leamington triathon website... Sign up your kids for 55 plus processing fee of 5$. Crazy $60.00 for a child to participate in a heavily sponsored event. If you want to compete as a family you are looking at a $300 day! Seems outrageous if you ask me.