THUNDER BAY -- A local swim club is asking the city for a lifeline.
The Thunderbolts Swim Club pays more than $53,000 a year to use the Canada Games Complex. In 2012 it fell behind on payments because of decreased revenue and increased expenses.
It's been paying a 16 per cent interest rate to the city on what it owes but on Monday it will ask city council to shift that interest, which has totaled more than $8,200 so far, to its outstanding balance.
"The club has taken steps to try and alleviate future financial pressures, including increasing registration fees for its members to ensure that they cover the pool and coaching costs," a letter to council states.
It also wants to negotiate a reasonable monthly interest rate.
Between 2007 and 2012 the club didn't increase its registration fees even though it was facing rising costs.
In 2010 alone the city added 13 per cent HST to the club's bill and increased pool fees by three per cent. Costs for staff and other expenses also rose but the board didn't increase its fees.
"Unfortunately we are still paying for these decisions," the letter says.
It did raise fees this year by 29 per cent to try and recover costs.
"The Club is working diligently to pay its outstanding balance and has taken steps including increasing registration fees for its members to enable the club to be sustainable, as fees should cover the cost of pool fees and coaching," it says.
