As some of you are already aware, the Parks Board received a presentation by staff which claims that we are priced 30% below "comparable marinas" and therefore a fee increase of 8% (for 2018) is justified. The presentation from the Parks Board meeting of November 14, 2017, is online here:
http://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/2017/20171114/PRESENTATION-2018FeesCharges-ParksRecreation-20171114.pdf
(see page 10)
With the exception of Commissioner Shum, the Board voted to approve the fee increases. As usual, no prior notice of this meeting was given to the BCMCA or marina customers in general.
The Parks Board also delayed on sending the research on "comparable marinas" for two weeks, and when it did arrive, the names of the "comparable marinas" were withheld, due to "confidentiality" reasons. Which means the graph shown below is unverifiable and meaningless. (besides being barely readable).
http://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/2017/20171114/PRESENTATION-2018FeesCharges-ParksRecreation-20171114.pdf
(see page 10)
With the exception of Commissioner Shum, the Board voted to approve the fee increases. As usual, no prior notice of this meeting was given to the BCMCA or marina customers in general.
The Parks Board also delayed on sending the research on "comparable marinas" for two weeks, and when it did arrive, the names of the "comparable marinas" were withheld, due to "confidentiality" reasons. Which means the graph shown below is unverifiable and meaningless. (besides being barely readable).
Note also that they show Burrard's rates as being "23% lower than Metro average", not 30% as stated in the presentation by staff.
There is a similar table for rates for vessels under 22 feet, which indicates 32% below average - but how many other marinas even offer slips of that size? Many of the smaller slips at Burrard go unoccupied even in summer, so the demand for 22 foot and under is just not there.
So, will it stop at 8% in 2018? Or will it be another 8% in 2019, and another 8% in 2020, until they "catch up" to what they claim other marinas charge? And more importantly - will we see the same level of service and quality of facilities, as some of these other pricey marinas? You be the judge.
Want to voice your concerns? You can find contact info for the Parks Board Commissioners here:
http://vancouver.ca/your-government/park-board-commissioners.aspx
There is a similar table for rates for vessels under 22 feet, which indicates 32% below average - but how many other marinas even offer slips of that size? Many of the smaller slips at Burrard go unoccupied even in summer, so the demand for 22 foot and under is just not there.
So, will it stop at 8% in 2018? Or will it be another 8% in 2019, and another 8% in 2020, until they "catch up" to what they claim other marinas charge? And more importantly - will we see the same level of service and quality of facilities, as some of these other pricey marinas? You be the judge.
Want to voice your concerns? You can find contact info for the Parks Board Commissioners here:
http://vancouver.ca/your-government/park-board-commissioners.aspx
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