The Sooke & Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission voted to maintain the seniors discount age at 65 at a meeting on May 2.
Mike Hicks, Juan de Fuca Regional Director, brought the motion forward to decrease the seniors discount age from 65 to 60, which was defeated by other members.
Larry Hutchings, SEAPARC manager, said discounts should be determined by financial need and marketing, not by age.
“I am troubled as well with an age-based determination for discounts,” said Mayor Wendal Milne. “I don’t think that’s how we should look at this.”
According to a commission document, SEAPARC’s seniors admission rate is $4.10 — 35 cents cheaper than the second lowest price in Victoria.
Anne Boquist, who will turn 60 in June, brought a petition with approximately 67 signatures from residents who wanted the seniors discount age reduced from 65 to 60 to the commission’s April meeting.
Boquist said the senior discount age should be the same as other recreation centres on the Island, which commonly use 60 as the minimum seniors age.
“I can’t see how lowering it to 60 is going to make a huge difference to SEAPARC,” she said.
“I just want it to be the same as every body else, and if SEAPARC needs to raise its rates then maybe that’s what they need to think of doing.”
Boquist said she may plan a second petition.
“A lot of people that I talk to can’t believe it.”
During the next meeting, staff will present options regarding incremental admission fare increases.
