Prince Edward County Fitness and Aquatic Centre is asking the municipal government for more funding to address a looming budget shortfall.
During Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting Sue Mathieu, a director on the board of PFAC, gave a deputation to council members to help them make up an estimated budget shortfall of $21,000 in the 2024 fiscal year.
The funding request asks for a total of $70,000 annually, which matches previous funding provided by the county.
The fitness and aquatic centre already suffered a deficit on the 2023 budget of $24,000.
The aquatic centre provides low-cost activities and swim courses in the community.
After the deputation, councillors briefly questioned Mathieu on ways to close up the budget shortfall. Councillor Phil St-Jean said that raising user fees to close up the budget shortfall could backfire.
“I do recognize that in order for you to be net zero you have to raise your your rates by about 4%,” said Councillor St-Jean. “That can be a little too much for people which could work negatively towards your goal of trying to balance your budget.”
The request for funds was referred to the upcoming budget talks in December.
