WHEREAS municipalities are being faced with high operational costs for public recreation facilities, such as pools and arenas, directly resulting from dramatic increases in heat and energy costs;AND WHEREAS a major expenditure component for operating public recreational facilities is the cost of utilities;AND WHEREAS municipalities are having great difficulty in keeping public facilities operating at an affordable level to the citizens of Alberta;AND WHEREAS recreation facilities contribute largely to the economic vitality of communities and play a major part in keeping citizens of all ages active;AND WHEREAS the Government of Alberta promotes quality recreation as being a part of healthy active lifestyles, leading to reduced health care costs and improved citizen productivity at home, work and in the community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Government of Alberta to approve a program to assist municipalities, societies and service groups in offsetting increased heating and electrical costs incurred for operating public recreation facilities, to ensure that these facilities continue to be available at an affordable level to the citizens of Alberta.

No background information was submitted with this resolution.

The AAMDC has three resolutions currently in effect with respect to this issue. Resolution ER1-03F, endorsed at the fall 2003 convention, requests the provincial government to abandon and reverse the process of deregulation of utilities.Resolution 3-03S, endorsed at the spring 2003 convention, urges the provincial government to put in place a natural gas rebate program for municipalities and Albertans to offset the high cost of natural gas.Resolution 17-01S, also endorsed at the spring 2001 convention, urges the provincial government to examine alternatives and develop a long-term action plan to alleviate and eliminate the high cost of energy for Albertans.

The provincial government has indicated that both municipal and community buildings are eligible for rebates under the Natural Gas Rebate Program and that no additional assistance programs are being contemplated at this time.