City of Medicine Hat: Community Survey

Introduction

The City of Medicine Hat is undertaking a review of recreation fees and charges to help ensure recreation services remain accessible, sustainable, and aligned with community priorities.
Recent community survey results indicate that recreation facilities and programs are considered an important municipal service by Medicine Hat residents, highlighting the importance of ensuring recreation services remain accessible and responsive to community needs.
As part of this review, the City is seeking input from residents on the principles and priorities that should help guide future decisions related to recreation fees, affordability, access, and public investment in recreation services.
This survey is intended to gather high-level feedback and should take approximately 3-5 minutes to complete. Responses will be considered alongside stakeholder engagement, municipal benchmarking, financial analysis, and strategic priorities to inform the development of future Fees and Charges Framework.
Thank you for taking the time to share your perspectives.

1.Do you currently use City of Medicine Hat recreation facilities, programs, or services?

Yes, regularly

Yes, occasionally

No

Prefer not to say

2.Which best describes your connection to City recreation services?

4.When thinking about recreation services in Medicine Hat, which of the following should be the highest priorities for the City? (select up to 3)

Keeping recreation affordable

Maintaining high-quality facilities

Providing access for children and youth

Supporting healthy and active lifestyles

Ensuring fair and consistent pricing

Supporting community organizations and non-profits

Recovering a greater share of operating costs

Expanding recreation opportunities

Other

5.To what extent do recreation fees impact your ability or your household’s ability to participate in recreation programs or use recreation facilities?

7.Which groups or activities should receive the greatest level of public support through lower fees or subsidies? (Select up to 2)

8.Recreation services are funded through a combination of user fees and municipal tax support. As the City reviews its approach to recreation fees and charges, there may be different ways to balance affordability, access, service levels, and financial sustainability.
If the City needed to make changes to support the long-term sustainability of recreation services, which approach would you most support?

9.What factors do you believe the City should consider when reviewing recreation fees and charges?