CSR Service Profile - Parks, Recreation and Culture - City of Vernon

Service Profile Parks, 

Recreation and Culture

City of Vernon 

Core Services Review 

Service Profiles 

Program: Parks, Recreation, and Culture 

January 15, 2013

City of Vernon – Core Services Review – Service Profiles 

Parks, Recreation and Culture 

Contents 

1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Parks .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 

3. Recreation Services ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 

4. Downtown Beautification .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 

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1. Introduction 

1.1 Purpose of this Document 

Background 

In 2012, the City of Vernon (City) contracted KPMG LLP (KPMG) through a competitive bid process to review the City’s operations and service 

delivery to identify cost-saving opportunities and areas for potential improvements. The City sees periodic Core Service Reviews as a necessary 

and positive means to check, confirm and review the range of services to be delivered by the City and recommendations to prioritize those 

services. The City considers Core Service Reviews as one method to ensure what is delivered is of the highest value to the community, to shed 

lower value services, to apply best modern practices to cost effective delivery, and to direct valuable, limited resources to the delivery of 

community valued programs and services. The Core Service Review project commenced on October 10, 2012 and is being conducted in four 

phases with a draft final report to be delivered by March 31, 2013. 

Service Profile Summaries 

During Phase 2 of the project, service profiles were created to present key information on the services that the City of Vernon currently provides. 

These service profiles were consolidated into five Service Profile Summary documents, of which this document is one, and posted on the City 

website. 

The information in the Service Profile Summary documents was compiled by the City based on a template provided by KPMG. The intent of the 

Service Profile Summary documents is to present key information on the services that the City of Vernon currently provides to inform discussions 

with City Council, City management and the community on the City’s operations and service delivery to identify cost-saving opportunities and 

areas for potential improvements during the Core Services Review project. 

Any performance related information is based on City of Vernon provided information or statements. No opinion is expressed with respect to the 

validity of the underlying performance data. The Service Profile Summary documents do not constitute an audit of the City’s services and 

underlying sub-services. Accordingly, KPMG does not express an opinion on such matters. 

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1.2 Providing Input to the Core Services Review Project 

Public Consultation 

During Phase 3 of the Core Services Review project, the City is seeking input from the community on current services through a public workshop 

on January 29, 2013. Input could include suggestions of opportunities for cost reduction, areas where current service levels could be reduced or 

are already too low, or any other suggestions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City services. It is intended that City staff and 

members of the community including those representing any specific stakeholder groups will read the information contained in the Service Profile 

Summary documents before attending the workshop. Written comments and suggestions will also be welcome, either presented at the meeting, or 

submitted to the project email address. 

Project Email address 

A dedicated project email address has been set up to enable any stakeholder to provide information directly to KPMG on a confidential basis. The 

email address is COVCSR@kpmg.ca 

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1.3 How to Read this Document 

The information in this document is presented in six sections: 

Service Description – briefly describes the overall purpose or objective of the City service. 

Service Hierarchy – lists the sub-services or activities within the Service, and describes the service provided. 

Service Delivery – provides information on service delivery for the sub-services or activities within the Service including service level, 

client impact and number of full time equivalent (FTE) staff involved. 

Finance – provides key financial metrics showing the level of expenditures on the sub-services and the extent to which the sub-services are 

funded through user fees, grants and/or property tax levy. 

Recent Reviews – describes any recent studies or reviews of these services/sub-services, the results and what has been done with the 

results. 

Municipal Comparisons – provides conclusions from previous reports or other data the City has on the delivery of the services/subservices, 

the unit cost for services/sub-services, the fees charged for services/sub-service in comparison with other municipalities. 

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1.4 Glossary 

Term 

Service Type 

Definition 

Public – exist to provide value added service to an external client / customer 

Internal – exists to support delivery of other services, provides no value added service to public 

Service Standard 

Mandatory – mandated or required by legislation from the federal or provincial government 

Essential – critical to the operation of the City. Without the service, the City would stop functioning 

Traditional – municipal service, provided by virtually all municipalities for many years 

Other Discretionary – service provided by the City to respond to particular community needs, based on a positive business case, or other 

specialized purposes 

A = Above standard 

S = At standard 

• S + : Some service levels of the sub-services/activities are higher 

• S – : Some service levels of the sub-services/activities are lower 

B = Below standard 

Service level “At Standard” is consistent with: 

• the level required by legislation, or … 

• industry standards and practices, or… 

• business case analysis justification, … 

• service levels in other municipalities, … 

• reasonable expectations 

Finances 

(Operating 

Budget) 

COSTS: 

Salaries – includes employee total compensation (fully loaded including salaries, wages and benefits) 

Other Direct – all other expenditure related to the sub-service 

Allocations – costs transferred from other services / sub-services 

REVENUES: 

Income – rates, fees, fares and any other user fees, and any grants / subsidies / funds from provincial or federal governments (comment 

should indicate if user fees or grants) 

Recoveries – opposite of allocations; charges to other services, capital projects or perhaps other municipalities 

Tax Levy – residual costs covered by the property tax levy (negative amount implies sub-service generates revenue that reduces the tax 

levy). Amount should be the total sub-service costs minus total sub-service revenues 

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2. Parks 

2.1 Service Description 

This activity within Public Works provides services relating to the maintenance and construction of regional parks, playgrounds, sport facilities, and 

linear trails. It also looks after the health of trees in parks and at the roadside. 

2.2 Service Hierarchy 

The following sub-services are provided by the Parks Service. 

Sub-service Type Description 

Parks 

Trees 

Public 

Traditional 

Public 

Traditional 

The Public Works Parks Department provides a range of services to the RDNO for maintenance of regional 

parks. Services are provided on a break-even basis. Delivery of services is organizationally linked with 

street tree and boulevard maintenance services (City responsibilities). 

Roadside trees are a critical component of the overall health and well being of a community. The City 

currently maintains approximately 5500 street and boulevard trees within the City boundary. Services 

include pruning, watering, disease control, tree removals and replanting. The work is performed by the City 

Arborist and Assistant Arborist with contract support as needed. The Arborist and Assistant Arborist also 

provide tree care services for trees located within regional parks. 

2.3 Service Delivery 

The following table provides information on service delivery for the sub-services within the Parks Service. 

Subservice 


Activity Service Level Service 

Standard 

City providing contract S 

maintenance services 

to RDNO 

• Landscape Services 

• Washroom cleaning 

• Parks security 

• Mowing 

• Risk management 

• Irrigation repairs and 

maintenance 

• Flower bed installation 

and maintenance 

• Playground installation 

Service level set by 

RDNO 

Client Impact FTEs Comments 

Service levels 

set to meet 

standards set 

by RDNO 

0.2 FTE-Manager 

Public Works 

0.8 FTE- Parks 

Foreman 

1.0 FTE- Site Risk 

Inspector/ 

Tradesman 

1.5 FTE- Irrigation 

Operator 

2.5 FTE-Equipment 

Operators 

0.5 FTE- Arborist 

City provides contract maintenance 

services to RDNO for 73 regional 

parks 

Washroom cleaning and parks 

security services provided by contract 

General landscape services provided 

by contract 

Regional parks function currently 

undergoing a restructuring. City 

6



Subservice 

Trees 

Activity Service Level Service 


and repairs 

• Beach cleaning 

• Sports field 

maintenance 

• Parks events support 

• Tree maintenance 

• Tree replacement 

• Tree pruning 

• Tree removal 

• Tree watering 

• Stump removal 

• Pine beetle program 

• Tree spraying 

Service level set 

based on industry 

standard and 

historical practice 

Approx 100 new trees 

added yearly through 

capital improvement 

projects 

Planting of trees 

limited to replacement 

of existing. 

Trees requiring 

pruning are pruned on 

a 5 year cycle 

Newly planted non 

irrigated trees added 

to 3 year watering 

program. 110 trees on 

list watered weekly 

Tree spraying 

performed as needed 

for disease control 

S 


Service levels 

set to meet 

public and City 

Councils 

expectations 


(38,990) 

Tourist and 

Visitors 


Assistant 

2.0 FTE- labourers 

0.5 FTE- 

Horticulturalist 

2.0 FTE –Students 

Total 11.5 FTEs 



Assistant 


involvement in parks maintenance will 

likely change effective January 1, 

2014. Details of the restructure and 

the final outcome are under 

negotiation and are not final at this 

time. 

5000 boulevard street trees. 

Approximately 100 new trees added 

annually through capital improvement 

projects. 

Tree maintenance performed by City 

staff. 

Contractors used for disease control, 

stump removal, and tree trimming 

and removal within close proximity to 

power lines. 

2.4 Finances 

The following table describes the key financial metrics of the sub-services and activities within the Parks Service. 

Sub-service Costs ($000s) Revenues ($000s) Comments 

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CUPE B 


Other Direct 

Taxes 

All costs recovered from RDNO 

Total 

Total 

Salaries CUPE B 123 

Trees 

Other Direct 102 Taxes 224 

Total 224 Total 224 

2.5 Recent Reviews 

As noted above, current discussions with RDNO may lead to a different allocation of roles and responsibilities for parks maintenance. 

2.6 Municipal Comparisons 

None available. 

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3. Recreation Services 


The City of Vernon Recreation Services is responsible for the administration, facility operation and delivery of programs and recreation services to 

the citizens of the Greater Vernon Area on contract to the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO). 


The following sub-services are provided by the Recreation Services: 


Administration 

Public 

Traditional 

Administration includes the Director, Recreation Services who provides leadership, supervision, and 

direction to the department’s approximately 100 employees. Develops departmental policies and 

procedures, liaises with CAO and Council for City of Vernon as well as General Manager Parks, 

Recreation and Culture and other staff of the Regional District of North Okanagan and other service 

providers. Plans and oversees department budget and marketing, deals with accounts payable, facility 

bookings, customer service and capital projects. 

Administration also includes the Office Coordinator, Facility Booking Clerk and Recreation Clerks. 

Clerical staff are front line contact with the public and handle all program registrations using the CLASS 

registration system, collect all registration fees and admission fees to programs and the Vernon Aquatic 

Centre, handle public inquiries, in person on the phone and through email. Staff deal with all facility 

bookings, including Parks bookings, order all office supplies and supply clerical support to all other staff 

as needed. The Administration Office at the Recreation Centre is open approximately 4,700 hours over 

363 days per year. 

Facility Management 

Vernon Aquatic Centre 

Public 

Traditional 

Public 

Traditional 

Recreation Services is responsible for the management and operation of the Vernon Recreation Centre 

including the day to day operation, maintenance, staffing and scheduling using prudent management 

practices. The Vernon Recreation Centre ‘facilities’ include the Auditorium, Dogwood and Priest Valley 

Gymnasiums and Halina Seniors Centre as well as the grounds and parking lots. The Recreation Centre 

is open to the public over 5,300 hours over 363 days per year. 

Recreation Services is responsible for the management and operation of the Vernon Aquatic Centre 

including the day to day operation, maintenance and scheduling using prudent management practices. 

We provide all supervision, lifeguarding and swim instruction. The Aquatic Centre which includes a 25 

metre 8 lane lap pool, a leisure pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna and fitness gym is open approximately 

4,950 hours per year over 342 days. The Aquatic Centre has just under 200,000 user visits per year 

including public swimming, lane swimming, public swim lessons, school swim lessons, rentals, aqua 

fitness classes, swim club rentals, and use of the fitness gym. 

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Programming 

Outdoor Pools 

Arenas 

Public 

Traditional 

Public 

Traditional 

Public 

Traditional 

Recreation Services is responsible for carrying out the planning and delivery of Recreation Programs to 

meet the demands of the public and provide the public with a variety of opportunities to constructively use 

their leisure time in accordance with the Regional District’s philosophy and goals. Recreation Services 

offers over 1,000 programs per year ensuring that opportunities are available for preschoolers, youth, 

teens, adults and seniors, people of all income levels and people with disabilities to participate. 

Recreation Services is responsible for the management and operation of the outdoor pools including the 

day to day operation, maintenance, staffing and scheduling using prudent management practices. 

Recreation Services oversees the Lakeview Outdoor Wading Pool, Lavington Outdoor Pool, and the 

Polson Spray Park. The pools are open from Canada Day to Labour Day approximately 9 weeks each 

summer. Lakeview is open approximately 565 hours a season, Lavington is open approximately 482 

hours a season and Polson is open approximately 504 hours a season. 

Recreation Services is responsible for the management and operation of the arenas including the day to 

day operation, maintenance, staffing and scheduling using prudent management practices. Recreation 

Services oversees the Centennial Outdoor Rink, Priest Valley Arena, Civic Arena and the Wesbild 

Centre; home to the Vernon Vipers Jr. Hockey Team. The Wesbild Centre is open approximately 5,225 

hours over 344 days per year, the Priest Valley Arena is open approximately 4,600 hours over 286 days 

per year and the Civic Arena is open approximately 3,280 hours over 244 days per year. The Centennial 

Outdoor Rink is open approximately1,600 hours between November and February weather permitting. 

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Information on service delivery for the sub-services within Recreation Services is as follows: 

Service or 

Sub-service 

Service Level 

Service 



Administration 

As the Contractor, Recreation 

Services is mandated to fulfill 

the philosophies and goals of 

the District which include “to use 

public leisure services as a 

vehicle in meeting socially 

worthwhile goals and objectives, 

the attainment of which clearly 

results in some form of benefit 

to all residents of the Greater 

Vernon Area.” 

“To use the delivery of public 

leisure services to further the 

growth and development of the 

community and to promote the 

growth and development of the 

individual; social skills, 

emotional well being and 

physical health.” 

S 

The City of Vernon 

population is 38,990. 

Greater Vernon Area: 

Vernon, Coldstream, 

Areas A & B 2011 

Census population 

projection 58,985. 

RDNO population is 

83,052. 

4.98 FTEs @ 35hrs/wk. 

This includes: 

.85 FTE Exempt Director 

(.15 FTE of Director 

charged to Arenas). 

4.13 FTEs Union Clerical 

Operate on contract to the 

RDNO GVPRC since 1976 

(unsigned). 

RDNO GVPRC currently 

undergoing service review. 

New GVPRC Recreation 

Facilities and Programming 

Service MOU is currently in 

draft stage. 

Operating Policies set by RDNO 

GVPRC. 

Administration and HR policies 

set by City. 

Payroll for City union, exempt 

and excluded staff done through 

the City. 

Payroll for RDNO Program Staff 

and payables done through the 

RDNO. 

All computers and IT on RDNO 

system. 

The City’s ability to deliver 

services is relative to the budget 

approved by the RDNO. 

The RDNO sets the fees 

annually for facilities and 

programs through the Manual of 

Fees and Charges Bylaw. 

The City’s ability to generate 

revenue is relative to the fee 

structure approved by the 

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Sub-service 





RDNO. 

Facility 

Management 

As per the contract, Recreation 

Services oversees the Vernon 

Recreation Centre including the 

Auditorium, Dogwood and Priest 

Valley Gymnasiums, Halina 

Seniors Centre and the 

Administration and staff offices. 

The contract calls for Recreation 

Services to “Manage and 

Operate the facilities and 

property in compliance with all 

applicable federal, provincial, 

municipal and other laws and all 

permits to accommodate Public 

Use for the benefit of the District 

and its residents using prudent 

management practices; deliver 

the services including: day to 

day maintenance and repair of 

the facilities, properties and 

equipment, including routine and 

preventative maintenance, 

cleaning, overseeing capital 

projects, dealing with facility 

rentals, customer relations and 

interfacing and emergency 

response.” 

S 

The Vernon Recreation 

Centre is the main 

recreation facility in the 

Greater Vernon area. 

Over 425,000 user 

visits per year including 

Aquatic Centre visits. 

Over 75,000 in 

Auditorium and 15,000 

in Curling Rink (Spring 

& Summer lease 

period) for community 

events. 

2.92 FTEs @ 40hrs/per 

week. 


.40 FTE of the 

Supervisor of 

Maintenance who 

oversees maintenance for 

the entire facility (.60 FTE 

charged to Vernon 

Aquatic Centre). 

1 FTE Custodian Leader. 

1.44 FTEs for part time 

Custodians. 

.075 for HVAC 

Servicesman. 

All positions are Union. 

This staff is responsible 

for the maintenance and 

cleaning of the ‘dry side’ 

of the Recreation Centre: 

Auditorium, Dogwood 

Gym, Halina Seniors 

Centre and 

Administration and staff 

offices and Curling Rink 

during lease period. 

The Auditorium is a 1,000 seat, 

12,000sq ft multi purpose room. 

The facility has been renovated 

over past four years and 

demand and use are up 

significantly. The Auditorium is 

home to many community 

events and fund raisers. 

Community Rate: $673/day for 

Main Floor Only and $818/day 

for the Creekside Conference 

Centre (facility including 

breakout rooms). Generates 

$65,000 per year. 

Staff do set up and take down 

of tables, chairs and staging for 

some events. Generates $5,300 

per year. 

Auditorium’s Commercial 

Kitchen is rented out for events: 

$161/day and is rented out 

between events to 

entrepreneurs and caterers: 

$87/day. Generates $3,500 per 

year. 

The Dogwood Gym is a 3,500sq 

ft gymnasium that is used 

during the day primarily for 

Preschool programs and in the 

evenings for sports activities. 

Community Rate: Youth 

$15.25/hr, Adult $25.25/hr. 

Generates $23,000 per year. 

The Priest Valley Gym is an 

8,600sq ft gymnasium located 

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Sub-service 





in the Priest Valley building and 

is used for a variety of fitness 

programs and activities during 

the day and sports activities in 

the evenings. Community Rate: 

Youth $24.75/hr, Adult $49/hr. 


The Halina Seniors Centre is a 

“centre within a centre”. The 

Halina is run by an executive 

board through a contract with 

the RDNO and the City of 

Vernon. Recreation Services 

provides all maintenance and 

cleaning and works closely with 

the Halina on the shared use of 

facilities at no charge. The 

Halina pays approximately 

$1,000 per year as a token fee 

for services. 

The City through the RDNO 

leases back the 18,000sq ft 

Vernon Curling Club between 

April 1-September 15 th each 

year at a cost of $5,500. The 

City rents out the VCC ‘dry floor’ 

to several community groups. 

Community Use Rate is 

$941/per day. Generates 

$17,000 per year. 

The Vernon Boxing Club rents 

space below the Priest Valley 

Gym on a monthly basis. 


Vending and Pop machines in 

the Recreation Centre generate 

$10,100 per year. 

Bulletin Board advertising 

generates $7,400 per year. 

City now does most of the 

13




Sub-service 





Mechanical HVAC work in 

house through City Building 

Services Department. 

Plumbing, Electrical and some 

Mechanical contracted out to 

Licensed Tradesmen. 

Snow Clearing is contracted 

out. 

Salting and Sanding is done by 

the City in house. 

Vernon Aquatic 

Centre 


Services oversees the Vernon 

Recreation Centre including the 

Vernon Aquatic Centre. 




















response” 

The contract also requires the 

City to operate the facility in 

compliance of all District 

Policies which include but are 

not limited to: 

S or A 

Lifeguarding 

sometimes at 

1:35 ratio 

because of two 

pools in facility. 

Staff hold four 

in-service 

sessions per 

year; one 

quarterly. 

The Vernon Aquatic 

Centre is the only 

indoor public swimming 

facility in the Regional 

District of North 

Okanagan. 

Approximately 200,000 

user visits per year. 

Public Swim 97,000 

user visits in 2011. 

Swim Lessons 53,000 


Aqua Fitness 23,000 


Kokanee Swim Club 

20,000 user visits per 

year 

Masters Swim 

programs 4,500 user 

visits in 2011. 

Although servicing 

mainly the Greater 

Vernon Area, the 

Aquatic Centre sees 

patrons from all over 

the North Okanagan. 

The Aquatic Centre is 

13.5 FTEs 


11.6 FTEs @ 35hrs/week 


1 FTE Aquatic Supervisor 

2 FTEs Aquatic Leaders 

8.6 FTEs Lifeguard/ 

Instructors 

The above staff are 

responsible for all 

supervision, lifeguarding 

and swim lesson 

instruction. 

1.94 FTEs @ 

40hrs/week. 


.60 FTE for Supervisor of 

Maintenance. 

1.26 FTEs for part time 

Custodians. 

.075 FTE for HVAC 

Serviceman. 

This staff responsible for 

Increasing senior population. 

Decreasing youth population. 

11% decline in school 

enrollment since 2008. 

Home of the Kokanee Swim 

Club. Contract gives them 

5:00–7:00pm prime time in pool. 

Public Swim numbers down 

over last four years 

Adult Swim $5.50, Youth Swim 

$4.00, Preschool Swim $1.75, 

Age 2 years and under Free, 

Family $12.25. 

Persons with Disability 25% 

discount. 

Persons Financially 

Disadvantaged 75% discount. 

Over 900 people have 

Affordable Access Pass. 

Demand for Swim Lessons 

increasing annually. 

Adult lessons $9.75/hr 1:10 

ratio, Youth lessons $8.75/hr, 

Preschool lessons $10.20/hr 1:4 

ratio. 

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Sub-service 





All aquatics staff must hold a 

current National Lifesaving 

Certification 

Lifeguard to patron ratio will be 

1:50 

At least one staff person must 

hold a current BCRPA Pool 

Operators Certificate. 

Regularly scheduled in-service 

training shall be held at least 

three times per year. 

open 4,956 hours per 

year over 342 days. 

Three lakes in Greater 

Vernon Area. Teaching 

swim lessons is a 

priority mandate. 

the maintenance and 

cleaning of the Vernon 

Aquatic Centre including 

the Fitness Gym. 

All staff are Union. 

Aqua Fitness programs 

increasing in popularity 

Masters Swim Program 

numbers increasing 

Lifeguarding ratios are now 

established as per a 2007 

Lifesaving Society Audit of the 

Aquatic Centre and the 2010 

BC Pool Regulations. 

Programming 


Services is “responsible for 

carrying out the planning and 

delivery of Recreation Programs 

to meet the demands of the 

public and provide the public 

with a variety of opportunities to 

constructively use their leisure 

time in accordance with the 

Regional District’s philosophy 

and goals. 

“Keep current with trends in the 

recreation industry and offer 

new programs in the 

community.” 

“New programs can be 

subsidized, but after two years, 

programs are to break even or 

make a profit.” 

S 








RDNO population is 

83,052. 

Over 1,000 programs 

offered per year from 

Prenatal - Seniors. 

Over 65,000 user visits 

in youth programs. 

Over 68,000 user visits 

in adult programs. 

2.7 FTEs @ 35hrs/week. 

All staff are Union. 

Programming makes a $67,550 

profit. 

Programs offered are broken 

down into sub categories: 

Playschool, Preschool, Youth, 

Adult (including Seniors), 

Fitness (including Aqua 

Fitness), and On Ice. 

*Aquatic programs (other than 

Aqua Fitness) are programmed 

by Aquatics Supervisor. 

Main advertising through 

Recreation Services website 

and publication of Parks, 

Recreation and Culture Leisure 

Guide three times per year. 

Not able to advertise using 

Facebook due to Regional 

District policy restricting staff 

from use. 

Recreation Services acts as 

Administrator for the Greater 

Vernon KidSport Fund. 

Programming pays ‘rent’ to 

Facilities and Aquatic Centre for 

use through quarterly transfers. 

15




Sub-service 





Programming pays for rental of 

school facilities. School District 

uses our facilities free of charge 

during school hours. 

Boys and Girls Club of 

Okanagan offers programs to 

marginalized youth through 

grant from the GVPRC. 

Vernon Community Arts Centre 

offers arts programs to all 

citizens through grant from the 

GVPRC. 

The Okanagan Science Centre 

offers science programming to 

the community. 

Increasing senior population. 

Decreasing youth population. 

11% decline in school 

enrollment since 2008. 

Outdoor Pools 


Services oversees the Lakeview 

Outdoor Wading Pool, Lavington 

Outdoor Pool, and the Polson 

Spray Park. 
















S 

A 

*Must have two 

lifeguards on 

duty at all times 

at Lakeview 

and Lavington. 



The District of 

Coldstream 10,300. 






Lakeview Wading Pool 

targeted at parents 

with preschool aged 

children. 

Lakeview Pool had 

approximately 6,900 


Lavington Pool 



.30 FTE Union Aquatic 

Leader 

1.42 FTEs Student 

Lifeguard Instructors 

RDNO requested the City take 

over operation of the Outdoor 

Pools in 2011. 

2010 LOU with CUPE allowed 

for Outdoor Pool Lifeguard 

Instructors to be hired as 

Student Workers @ $15/hr. 

Lakeview Wading Pool is 0-1 

metre deep and located in the 

East Hill area of Vernon. 

Polson Spray Park is located in 

Polson Park in Vernon. 

Lavington Pool is just over 1 

metre deep and is located in 

Lavington Park in the District of 

Coldstream. Preschool level 

swim lessons are taught there. 

16




Sub-service 









response” 

The contract also requires the 

City to operate the facility in 

compliance with all District 

Policies which include, but are 

not limited to: 

All aquatics staff must hold a 

current National Lifesaving 

Certification 

targeted at parents 

with preschool to early 

elementary age 

children. 

Lavington Pool had 

approximately 3,600 


Polson Spray Park is 

targeted at elementary 

aged children. 

No user visit data 

available for Polson. 

Admission is free at all three 

facilities (except for swim 

lessons). 

The newly signed GVPRC 

Parks MOU will take effect in 

January of 2014 and 

Coldstream will take over 

responsibility for operation of 

Lavington Pool. 

Lifeguard to patron ratio will be 

1:50 

At least one staff person must 

hold a current BCRPA Pool 

Operators Certificate. 

At least one scheduled inservice 

training shall be held 

before the season at both 

Lavington and Lakeview pools. 

Arenas 


Services oversees the 

Centennial Outdoor Rink, Priest 

Valley and Civic Arenas and the 

Wesbild Centre. 













At Standard 

Wesbild Centre is a 

3,000 seat MultiPlex 

facility opened in 2001. 

Over 250,000 user 

visits per year. Home 

of the Vernon Vipers 

Jr. Hockey Team. 

Wesbild is the main 

facility for hosting large 

special events; BC 

Winter Games, 

Canadian Senior 

Curling 

Championships, 

National Grand Slam of 

Curling and Concerts. 

Civic Arena 2280 seats 

14.64 FTE’s 




7.29 FTEs Union Arena 

Attendants. 

2.24 FTEs excluded 

Event Support Staff. 



.15 FTE exempt Director 

of Recreation Services. 

1 FTE exempt Manager 

RDNO asked the City to take on 

operation of the arenas in 

August 2009. 

RDNO operated the arenas in 

house from September of 2007 

– August 2009. 

RDNO had contracted out the 

management and operation of 

the arenas to Recreation 

Excellence from October 1, 

2001 – August 2007. 

Wesbild Centre Adult Prime 

Time rate $211/hour. Generates 

$873,970 per year. 

Wesbild Holdings have had 

17




Sub-service 












response” 

built in 1937 now 75 

years old. Home to 

Greater Vernon Minor 

Hockey. 

Priest Valley Arena 

300 seats opened in 

1980. Home to Vernon 

Figure Skating Club. 

of Arenas. 

1 FTE exempt Operations 

Coordinator 

.77 FTE exempt 

Concessions Coordinator 

1.08 FTEs Union Clerical 

staff 

naming rights for facility @ 

$40,000 per year. They have 

indicated that they will be 

ending this sponsorship in April 

2013. 

Civic Arena Adult Prime Time 

rate $191/hour. Generates 

$178,421 per year. 

Centennial Outdoor 

Rink built in 1966 open 

seasonally November 

to February. Free 

public skating and 

shinny hockey. 

1.11 FTEs excluded 

Concessions and 

Beverage Staff @ 

35hrs/week. 

Civic Arena 2,280 seats built in 

1937 now 75 years old. Will 

need replacing with 300-400 

seat arena soon. 

Priest Valley Arena Adult Prime 

Time rate $191/hour. Generates 

$236,447 per year. 

Centennial Outdoor Rink 

generates $4,595 per year from 

rentals. 

As per a 2009 LOU with CUPE, 

all Concession, Beverage and 

Event Support Staff are 

‘Excluded Employees’ and are 

not subject to the CUPE 

collective agreement. 

Plumbing, Electrical, and 

Mechanical contracted out to 

Licensed Tradesmen. 

Snow Clearing is contracted 

out. 

Salting and Sanding is done by 

City in house. 

18



3.4 Finances 

The following table describes the key financial metrics of the sub-services and activities within Recreation Services: 


Administration Salaries 376.8 User Fees 0.0 • $103,636 in City of Vernon overhead support charges. 

Other Direct 113.5 Grants 0.0 

Allocations 103.6 Tax Levy 593.9 

Total 593.9 Total 593.9 

Support/Overhead charges are determined by agreement with the 

Regional District for this service. The agreement is based on assumed 

cost of services such as Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, 

Purchasing, for this work group who are not set up as a stand alone 

workforce. 

• $57,709 in Office Expenses 

• $47,667 in Insurance costs as provided by the RDNO 

Facility Management Salaries 200.5 User Fees 170.9 • Capital Project for new playground through Provincial grant in 2013 




• Capital Project to renovate the Administration Office 2013 $73,200 

• Marketing costs for the Aquatics Centre are included in this area 

• 40% cost recovery 

Vernon Aquatic Centre Salaries 864.4 User Fees 832.7 • Capital Project for Dehumidification in Aquatic Centre in 2013 


• Capital Project for Building Envelope in Aquatic Centre in 2013\67% 

cost recovery (includes facility management costs, does not include 

Allocations 0.0 Tax Levy 412.5 administrative costs above the Supervisor of Aquatics. Costs for the 

Director and Clerical staff are included in Administration) 

Total 1,245.2 Total 1,245.2 

Programming 

Salaries 

Other Direct 

203.2 User Fees 

652.7 Grants 

923.4 

0.0 

• Programming makes a $67,550 profit 

• Salaries only include three City Recreation Programmers 

• Salaries for all RDNO program staff are included in Other Direct as well 

as the rental fees that Programming pays for facility use 

• 108% cost recovery 

Allocations 0.0 Tax Levy (67.5) 


19




Outdoor Pools Salaries 58.7 User Fees 4.5 • 5% cost recovery 




Arenas Salaries 937.5 User Fees 1,293.4 • $154,521 in RDNO overhead charges in Wesbild budget. 

TOTAL Recreation Services 

Other Direct 1,084.1 Grants 0.0 


Total 2,176.1 Total 2,176.1 

• Capital request for Zamboni in 2013 $115,900 

• Civic Arena 53% cost recovery 

• Priest Valley Arena 59% cost recovery 

• Centennial Rink 11% cost recovery 

• Wesbild Centre 63% cost recovery 

• Total Arenas 59.44% cost recovery 

Salaries 2,641.1 User Fees 3,224.9 • 59.8% cost recovery for entire service. The entire balance of $2,168.4 

is included in the Regional District requisition for taxes from the 

Other 

Direct 

2,494.1 Grants 0.0 

Allocations 258.1 Tax Levy 2,168.4 

Total 5,393.3 Total 5,393.3 

participating jurisdictions. The City does not have either a loss or a 

profit. 

20




There have been no satisfaction surveys done in recent years. The Regional District and Recreation Services plan to conduct an extensive survey 

in 2013. 

Arena usage rates have been declining in recent years as shown on the following page: 

Hours Rented, Minor vs Adult 

Hours Rented by Arena 

21



Hours Rented by Type of Minor Sport 

Total Ice Usage 


Swimming Pool Rates: 

Vernon Salmon Arm Penticton Parkinson YMCA 

Adult 5.50 5.25 6.00 5.50 8.00 

Sr. 65 + n/a 4.25 5.00 3.80 6.00 

19-24 n/a 7.50 

13-18 4.00 (7-8 yrs) 4.25 5.00 3.80 6.00 

6-12 4.00 (7-18yrs) 3.50 4.00 2.80 5.00 

1-6 1.75 (3-6yrs) 1.50 1.00 1.55 (3-6yrs) 4.00(3-5yrs) 

22



Arena Rates: 

Ice rental rates. 

Dry floor rental rates. 

non 

prime $ 

Youth Adult Youth Adult 

Prime non 

Summer non Prime non 

$ prime $ Prime $ $ prime $ $ prime $ 

Civic/Priest Valley 81.41 95.85 191.20 178.00 34.60 54.56 

Wesbild 105.36 175.58 210.71 232.00 43.34 95.86 

Prime 

$ 

Armstrong 84.00 158.00 46.00 87.00 

Enderby 82.00 148.00 27.00 58.00 

Kelowna 87.00 160.00 

Lake Country 59.00 87.00 114.75 78.00 

Lumby 165.00 

Mt Boucherie 48.75 65.00 100.00 130.00 20.00 40.00 

Salmon Arm 85.75 95.50 159.00 125.00 47.25 53.25 

Campbell River 58.75 68.75 113.25 148.75 45.00 82.25 

Chilliwack 72.00 108.00 154.00 270.00 

Cranbrook: Memorial Arena 99.25 148.00 172.75 49.61 60.63 

Cranbrook: Kinsmen Arena 75.00 148.00 

Kamloops: Interior Savings 103.40 132.20 165.30 

Kamloops: all others 103.40 132.20 165.30 40.90 60.70 

North Vancouver 72.80 109.00 158.40 305.00 48.75 97.50 

Penticton 75.75 84.62 143.10 31.82 47.68 

Pitt Meadows 73.77 98.18 98.47 125.59 38.31 59.07 

Burnaby Lake 48.34 86.10 127.53 285.10 29.59 35.68 49.82 83.52 

City of Coquitlam 59.15 81.85 163.35 252.90 26.60 32.45 57.30 79.55 

Dawson Creek 66.75 90.75 132.75 180.00 90.75 199.00 

Fernie 56.00 111.50 27.00 27.00 

Golden 32.14 53.56 91.75 115.58 34.29 97.99 

Kitamat 56.65 65.90 152.10 178.35 95.00 49.95 84.80 

Maple Ridge 73.77 98.18 98.47 125.59 38.31 59.07 

Nanaimo 74.00 119.00 149.00 42.00 84.00 

North Saanich 87.00 106.00 152.85 198.00 38.09 40.00 56.19 61.90 

23



Ice rental rates. 

Dry floor rental rates. 

Port Coquitlam 98.00 255.00 158.00 47.00 68.60 

Port Moody 105.65 171.65 270.50 42.65 90.00 

Prince George 63.66 79.29 119.49 148.53 44.11 65.89 

South Cowichan 70.00 87.50 122.50 159.50 34.00 68.00 

West Shore Victoria 90.00 110.20 153.30 202.75 46.10 67.20 

West Vancouver 90.00 180.00 128.00 256.00 70.00 100.00 

Whistler 55.89 131.53 

Average $67.02 $88.73 $128.93 $179.42 $144.33 $31.43 $42.48 $54.44 $75.30 

Close neighbors 

Wesbild Centre current rates 

"Benchmark Municipalities as per COV Corporate Policy Manual" 

24



4. Downtown Beautification 


This activity within Public Works provides support to the Downtown Vernon Association for the maintenance of the downtown area. 


The following sub-services are provided by the Downtown Beautification Service. 


Downtown Beautification 


Public 

Traditional 

The following table provides information on service delivery. 

The City of Vernon provides support to the Downtown Vernon Association for the maintenance of the 

downtown area. Support services include street and sidewalk cleaning, garbage collection, planting of beds, 

planters, and hanging baskets, irrigation repair and maintenance, and the repair and maintenance of the 

street furniture. Under separate contract, the DVA looks after the daily cleaning of sidewalks, weeding of 

planting beds and planters, litter collection, and watering of hanging baskets in the older section of 30th 

Avenue. 

Service Activity Service Level 

Downtown 

Beautification 

Flower planting 

Hanging baskets 

Repair of street furniture 

Banner installation and 

removal 

Irrigation maintenance 

Flowing planting 

done in spring 

Street furniture 

repaired as needed 

Irrigation repaired 

as needed 

Banners installed 

and removed three 

times per year 



S 


Downtown 

maintained to meet 

public expectations 

and the expectations 

of the Downtown 

Businesses 


(38,990) 

Tourist and Visitors 

0.1irrigation 

operator 

0.1 horticulturalist 


• General landscaping contract 

administered by the DVA. 

• City provides support with 

irrigation repairs and flower 

planting in the spring. 

Sweeping and tree care fall 

under different services. 

25



4.4 Finances 

The following table describes the key financial metrics of the sub-services and activities within the Downtown Beautification Service. 


Salaries CUPE B 13 

Downtown Beautification 

Other Direct 31 Taxes 43 

Total 43 Total 43 


None conducted. 


None available. 

26

CSR Service Profile - Parks, Recreation and Culture - City of Vernon

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