Municipal staff with the town of Fort Frances will get a reduction to use facilities at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Town council agreed at Monday’s meeting to offer complimentary passes to Centre employees and a 25 per cent reduction on memberships to other town staff.
Councillor Andrew Hallikas says it goes to improving the health of their employees.
“And research has shown that employees who look after their wellness, whether it be mental or physical wellness, tend to be productive, take less days off, tend to have better morale,” says Hallikas.
Councillor Wendy Brunetta feels uncomfortable about the idea.
“I am uncomfortable with increasing taxes so that we can in turn give a discount to employees on a membership. That’s the discomfort I have with it,” says Brunetta.
Community Services Manager Jason Kabel says currently only one town employee has a membership at the Centre. He’s hoping the discount will be an incentive for others to join.
Until now, Fort Frances was the only community in northwestern Ontario that did not offer staff discounts to their recreational facilities.
