Changes to the fees sports clubs and organisations pay to hire Aberdeenshire Council facilities. In the past week clubs currently letting these facilities have received a letter reminding them of the new charges that will come into effect on 1 August.
This is in line with the new pricing structure for sport and physical activity which was agreed by the council’s communities committee in February this year.
The committee’s decision centred around a move, by 2020, to recover 60% of what it costs to provide sports and physical activities in our facilities. Under previous prices the service was only recovering 45% of costs, which was not sustainable in the long-term.
Aberdeenshire’s prices were also historically lower than other areas in Scotland and by changing the pricing structure, the council’s prices will be brought closer in line with those other areas. Some prices have increased but the council continues to offer a range of discounts for certain people and groups. For example, the council introduced a new 30% discount for all young people aged 18 and under or those under 25 in full-time education. The discount available for those on low incomes and in receipt of certain benefits was increased to 60% off the standard charges.
Clubs received original notification of the future changes at the start of this financial year and in recognition of the changes clubs and users may have to make, it was agreed that the price increase would be phased-in over a three-year period.
Local clubs are encouraged to contact the relevant community leisure officer, who in Kincardine & Mearns is Norman Boal – norman.boal@aberdeenshire.gov.uk