Universal pass for all Kamloops’ recreation facilities still in the works

KAMLOOPS – A universal recreation pass which would allow residents to use all city recreation facilties and possibly even transit is still being looked at by city staff, but continues to encounter snags.

There is interest in the pass but there are a few issues slowing the process, city recreation director Byron McCorkell says.

“We like the concept, it’s something we’re working on,” he says. “[But] it’s not something we’re bringing forth soon.”

The city has been working on a pass which would allow access to all the city’s recreation facilities for roughly 15 years, he says, but there still is no timetable for it. McCorkell says issues slowing progress range from inconsistent pricing at facilities, technological gaps at some facilities like outdoor pools and limited locations for it’s use.

“There are hundreds of different programs of varying costs,” he says. “Where’s the price point?”

Another issue would be how it affects revenues at different facilities, he says.

The active pass could include a transit pass of sorts too, he says, and create a single card for multiple uses. This would mean residents won't have to carry cash and allow for the city to concentrate payment into a one-time situation, instead of collecting from multiple sources across the city, McCorkell says.

There’s already a pass that grants access to the city’s aquatic facilities, he notes. The Tournament Capital Centre monthly pass includes access to the outdoor pool in Brocklehurst and the facilities at Westsyde, including the pool when it’s reopened.

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