Local not-for-profit groups may soon be hindered from using the municipality's Adventure Centre for community events after being told they will now be charged the same fees as those for profitable businesses.
Groups such as the Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) and the Squamish Historical Society (SHS) have enjoyed use of the public building to promote their environmental and cultural agendas at next-to-no cost.
But an email sent to these and other users by Squamish Sustainability Corporation (SSC) manager of operations Tania Music last week announced they'd have to start paying new fees.
The reason for the new charges, said SSC chair and Squamish Coun. Rob Kirkham, is that the Adventure Centre can't continue working at a loss.
"The more use we can get on that building the better, and that's really what our focus is," said Kirkham. "But if you're trying to use any other facility in the community, there is a fee to pay even for not-for-profits."
Both for-profit and non-profit organizations will be charged the same rate, said Kirkham, since the SSC runs as a not-for-profit.
"We are not trying to make a profit off of that, our objective is to be able to have a balanced budget."
The change has CAN co-ordinator Ana Santos worried. Santos is in the midst of organizing the group's second film and speaker series -the Melting Pot series - and says she doesn't know how she'll keep these events going if fees are charged.
"I replied to that email that I got saying it [the series] has become a great education community tool that everybody appreciates and is very well received and I will do whatever it takes to keep it going," said Santos.
She said she would've liked to participate in a discussion before the final decision was made, and is hoping it's not too late.
"I realize and understand that the Adventure Centre needs to be running more profitably, I'm hoping that it does and we can maybe offer ideas to do things that would bring in money if the door is open for them to hear these things."
Kirkham said CAN's latest series will be allowed to continue without the new fee since they already had an agreement.
Bianca Peters of the SHS said her organization is now being charged a surprise rate even though their event was booked over three months ago. The SHS has a longstanding agreement with the SSC - paying $50 for a staffer to run films, and open and close the building in exchange for the donation of historical films - was a win-win, said Peters.
"The SHS has been successful in promoting and utilizing the theatre showcasing and documenting the history of the community of Squamish. Several of our events have been standing room only. We are also providing much needed local content as we work towards showcasing our community during the 2010 Olympics."
Such agreements are no longer feasible since, said Kirkham, unlike typical municipal buildings like Brennan Park Recreation Centre, the SSC runs the Adventure Centre on a fixed line of credit.
"There's an operating line of credit with the bank that has a limit on it," said Kirkham, adding the SSC hopes community groups do seek other means of financing the fees.
Organizations were told it's no use appealing to District of Squamish council to waive the cost, since that's up to the arm's length SSC board, made up of the seven council members.
"There's all sorts of ways - fundraising, corporate sponsorships -but we're suggesting they see the District of Squamish for a grant," he said.
Santos said she hopes to appeal to council for the fee to be waived, since it is a community building
"I would love to see it as a part of a district initiative for instance sponsored by them, but I don't know at this point if it would be a possibility," she said, adding she's reluctant to charge for entry since it may hinder the goal of trying to spread awareness.
"And my inclination is to keep it as a community thing and not to have too much of a presence in terms of many sponsors."
