The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) wants to use the Yara Centre free-of-charge for one of its wellness programs, but it will only learn if this is possible once the 2020 municipal budget is finalized.
During its Sept. 23 regular meeting, city council voted 6-1 to refer the request to the 2020 budget discussions. Coun. Crystal Froese was opposed.
City administration had initially recommended that the request for waiver of fees be denied.
Background
Megan Welwood, a mental health therapist with the SHA, submitted a letter asking that rental fees at the sports complex be waived for its wellness metabolic exercise program. Welwood explained that the program addresses the increased rates of metabolic syndrome — such as increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity — in clients experiencing serious mental illnesses.
The program was offered at the Moose Jaw YMCA since 2017, which provided free access for clients participating twice a week in the exercise and education program. The YMCA’s Opportunity Fund supported this initiative. However, with the organization’s closure, the SHA needed a new home for its program.
The SHA wanted free access to the Yara Centre on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program would use the aerobic and strength equipment along with access to the turf field.
There are 15 adults who use the program; the SHA wanted a free adult membership for each of them. The cost to accommodate that would be $761.25 per month, or $11,418.75 per year, since the rates for the centre have been set for 2019-20.
The wellness metabolic exercise program runs 10 months of the year.
There have been 52 people who have been referred to the program since its inception, with 28 having completed it.
Council discussion
The program is seeking a new partnership, Welwood told city council during a presentation. Clients experience many barriers to exercise — such as social isolation, poverty, and severe anxiety about stepping foot in a gym — and the hope is to continue the program with the municipality to ensure clients remain active and address their metabolic risk factors.
By including stretching, balance activities, strength training and cardio in the program, this has produced great results, she added. This included an increase in self-esteem, confidence, community spirit and reduction in social isolation.
“We can all agree that (sound) mental health is an important thing for personal well-being and in our community,” said Coun. Chris Warren.
He pointed out that the provincial government normally covers funding for anything related to health programs. He wondered if the program leaders had approached the province for funding or looked for any grant-funding programs.
Welwood replied they had not reached out to the province. She added they approached other fitness centres with similar amenities to see if a partnership could be struck, but had no luck.
Money contributed to the YMCA’s Opportunity Fund came from fundraising initiatives by the Y and donations from the business community, said Warren. The fund was for many projects, including to support membership applications from low-income families.
“I would be a little bit concerned that if we grant this waiver of fees, there would be more groups that the Y funded previously that would come to us,” he continued. Council received applications in the past to have the Yara Centre absorb YMCA memberships, but turned those down.
The parks and recreation department subsidizes 50 per cent of all programming — or $1.5 million — using tax dollars, Warren added. The remaining 50 per cent comes from fees the municipality charges.
Grant funding could create opportunities for community groups in the future, said Mayor Fraser Tolmie. But what council wants to do is look at every group asking for funding and conduct a fair process. He thought this request should be discussed during budget deliberations when looking at how to support the community and its collective health.
The next regular council meeting is Oct. 15.
