After holding the line for five years with no increases, minor hockey registration fees are on the rise.
It will cost $50 more for players in all divisions of the Prince George Minor Hockey Association (PGMHA) to play next season.
"We had no choice but to raise the fees this year," said PGMHA president Shawn Rice. "Minor hockey fees have not been raised since 2005, in large part due to the diligence of current and prior executive members who have worked hard to hold the line on costs and expenses.
"So far I haven't heard one complaint about the rates going up, everybody understands it had to go up."
An 3.5 per cent increase in the cost of icetime and the implementation of the 12 per cent HST last year left the PGMHA with a bill of close to $400,000. Player registrations this season did not cover that cost entirely, resulting in a deficit for the league to absorb. The league devoted more resources this season to its coach mentoring program and the budget took a further hit when the provincial government reduced the amount of gaming revenue contributions. Those gaming funds are expected to be further reduced next fall.
The new fees will range from $330 for initiation players (aged four to six), to $470 for midget-aged (15-17) players.
To avoid a late charge of $100, half of the registration fees for the 2011-12 season are due on May 20, with the remainder to be sent in a postdated cheque, dated August 1. Fees have traditionally not been due until August, but the PGMHA wanted to have the players registered before its office closes, May 29.
Having those names a few months in advance of the new season will also give coaching mentor Brian Toll a chance to evaluate players on the house league teams to create more parity among the teams in their respective divisions.
The PGMHA has about 1,200 players this season. With the current scarcity of icetime now limiting growth in most of the age divisions, Rice was pleased with city council's decision Monday to spend $35,000 on a cost comparison study to examine the potential to add a fourth ice surface to the Kin Centre. A city staff report presented in council Monday had recommended going ahead with the original plan to spend $16.5 million of infrastructure funding to renovate Kin 1, as proposed in the 2015 Canada Winter Games bid proposal.
"I'm glad to see the city will look at putting up another arena, it's definitely something we need," Rice said. "From what I hear from every other (sports) association there is a shortage of ice and we'd love to see another rink."
What it will cost to play
The Prince George Minor Hockey Association is raising registration fees by $50 in each of its divisions. Here's what players will have to pay for the 2011-12 season:
AgesBirth yearsDivisionCost
4 to 62005-2007Initiation$330
7-82003-2004Initiation$350
9-102001-2002Atom$400
11-121999-2000Peewee$430
13-141997-1998Bantam$450
15-171994-1996Midget$470
