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Fair Entry program launched for city facilities

Mar 21, 2017 | 4:42 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The City of Medicine Hat is offering a helping hand for those struggling to make ends meet, by making it easy to access city facilities.

The city has launched the Fair Entry program, designed to provide discounted entry to several city facilities for people who qualify.

Howard Snodgrass, general manager of community development with the city, says the Fair Entry program was created after the city reviewed all public service fees last year.

“We didn’t have a program in place for those who may not be able to actually get access or have reasonable access to those (facilities) as a result of the fees,” he said.

Currently, the Esplanade (art museum, galleries and archives), the Family Leisure Centre, the Crestwood Recreation Centre and Seniors Services at the Strathcona Centre are part of the program. Hatters who show proof they are low-income can receive 50 per cent off admission to those facilities.

Snodgrass said it is important to help bring down barriers to access for Hatters to enjoy the facilities.

“We don’t want income to be a primary barrier to that use,” he said. “This gives an opportunity for residents, who may be on more difficult times from an income perspective, to hopefully take some advantage, where they may have not been able to before.”

Snodgrass added fees for transit service are currently on hold as a result of a review of the city transit system, but adds they will be examined down the road, “relative to Fair Entry.”

More information and an application for the program can be found at www.medicinehat.ca/fairentry. Application forms can also be found at the facilities listed above.