Regina curling clubs get 2-year tax break from city

Two Regina curling clubs have been given a two-year break on the municipal portion of their property taxes.

The value of the exemption, which was passed by city council Monday night, was pegged at $27,306 per year and breaks down (per year) to $16,608 for the Tartan club and $10,698 for the Highland.

The Tartan and Highland clubs were seeking a five-year exemption on their full property taxes (municipal, education and library), noting they are non-profit organizations that have seen increases on their assessments.

The partial tax break, for a shorter period of time, was somewhat of a disappointment to some in the curling community.

"I guess it's bittersweet," Derek Boes, president of the Highland club, said after the meeting. "It looked like we were going to get the full exemption for the two years and we were pretty close to the finish line on that and we were just getting ready to get get up and clap and then the amendment came on and there was a little bit of a takeaway at the end where we lost a little bit. So maybe a little bit bitter, but so at least now we know and we can move forward."

According to materials presented to council, the Highland's property tax bill was about $11,000 in 2012, and is just under $19,000 for 2015 ($10,698 for the municipal portion, $7,177 for education and $1,079 for the library).

The Tartan Curling Club has seen its tax bill go to $30,000 from $10,000 in just three years. In a presentation to council, the club said it has been running a deficit and was asking for a five-year tax break on its curling rink at 1464Broadway Avenue.

Prior to the Monday night meeting of council, city officials were recommending no tax break.

"We were struggling financially when our annual property tax was $10,000," a letter from the Tartan to the city said. "The recent increase to $30,000 might just guarantee our demise."

Alan Bratt is general manager at the Tartan.

"We want to stay part of the community. We don't want to disappear," Bratt said Monday prior to the council meeting. "I plan to keep this place going, but it would be a hell of a lot easier if I didn't have that extra burden that is unfair."