The City of Wetaskiwin says that in an effort to cut costs from 2023’s municipal budget the city will no longer be running contracted fitness classes at the Manluk Centre: Wetaskiwin Regional Aquatics and Recreation in the new year.
City council made this decision to change the service level during the budget deliberations on Nov. 9, and it was finalized with the approval of the 2023 municipal budget at council’s regular Nov. 28, meeting.
Starting January 2023 instructors will be able to rent rooms and equipment to run their own classes independent of the city’s recreation programs. This allows instructors increased flexibility to determine their own programming, scheduling and fee rates.
The city will also save costs via staff time and eliminates any potential losses on a class from low registration.
The city had been contracting fitness instructors for both drop-in and registered fitness classes which included spin and yoga classes.
“This is a win-win move for both the city and fitness instructors,” says Recreation Program Supervisor Cal Zimmer.
“Contracted classes have usually been successful and we would expect that to continue for independent contractors coordinating their own programming.”
The Manluk Centre will run its last contracted fitness class Dec. 20.