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A facility fee of $2.15 has been on every ticket sold to events at Co-op Place ever since it opened. (CHAT News File Photo)
$1.6 million collected so far

Facility fee expected to continue indefinitely at Co-op Place

Aug 4, 2021 | 12:24 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Almost six years ago the doors opened at Co-Op Place in Medicine Hat.

In that time the centre, previously known as the Canalta Centre, has hosted concerts, the World U-17 hockey challenge and several seasons of Medicine Hat Tigers hockey.

Every ticket sold to events held there has come with a facility fee.

When the event centre was built, a fee of $2.15 per ticket was included as a way to pay off a $10 million loan taken out as part of the financing for the project.

However, anticipated attendance at the facility has not met projections, due in large part to the building being closed for much of the pandemic.

As a result, revenue from the facility fee is less than what was forecast.

“To date, we’ve collected just under $1.6 million,” says Brian Mastel, managing director of public services for the City of Medicine Hat.

Mastel says it’s not likely the facility fee will come off ticket sales any time soon.

“It’s anticipated the facility fee will continue into the foreseeable future, and likely, based on current thinking, is probably an ongoing piece of the fee structure at that facility,” says Mastel.

Mastel says the current plan is to continue charging the $2.15 fee for the 24 years remaining on the original $10 million loan.