Kotka renews the pricing of its youth facilities and camping areas
21.11.2024 | The City of Kotka is changing the principles and price list for renting its youth facilities and youth camp areas. The changes will come into force at the beginning of 2025.
Pirjo Lamminaho, Director of Youth Affairs, says that the price list for the facilities and areas was already outdated and that the rental principles also needed to be clarified.
“The update is necessary to clarify the price categories and entries in the price list and to revise the prices. The previous decisions on prices for youth facilities and youth camp areas were made 10 years ago and the need for a review and update was obvious,” says Lamminaho.
The updated policy includes guidelines on fee categories, booking, billing and use to clarify procedures.
The primary target group for youth facilities, youth camp areas and other youth service activities is children and young people under 29 years of age, in accordance with the Youth Act. Other actors may also use and exploit existing facilities and areas.
There were previously five fee categories and now this will be simplified by creating only two fee categories: reduced fee categories and basic fee categories.
Reduced fee categories:
- youth and early youth organisations in Kotka; children’s and youth groups of Kotka youth, sports, cultural and other leisure associations, groups of organisations of disabled people, youth activity groups (youth group 2/3 under 29 years of age).
- City’s own activities, other administrations and camp schools
- in addition, non-Estonian associations, organisations and clubs that organise activities for children and young people in Eatonia during the period when the premises or campsite are reserved.
Basic fee categories:
- Other users (adult groups, other associations, companies, private individuals, including private events for children and young people)
The use of youth facilities will remain free of charge at a reduced rate.
Users in the basic rate category will pay the price according to the price list, based on the space and the duration of the booking. Band rooms have already been charged to amateurs in the past and will see a small increase at the turn of the year.
The use of youth camping areas will be subject to a fee for both fee categories. Fees for the reduced fee category will be subsidized by the Youth Services Department and fees for the basic fee category will be determined on a cost basis with no profit.
Youth Services Director Lamminaho acknowledges that the fee updates will cause prices to increase.
“The use of youth facilities will remain free of charge in the reduced fee category, so in this respect the update will have no impact on children and youth activities.”
Campsite fees may have a negative impact on the organisation of camp activities for children and young people and on the participation fees charged by camp organisers.
“Campsite fees, in particular the basic fee category, are intended to cover the replacement or purchase of consumables (kitchen equipment, bed linen, sauna wood, activity equipment, etc.), the provision of functional equipment and safety-related items (electrical equipment, life jackets, fire extinguishers, etc.) and measures related to the general use and cleanliness of campsites (maintenance work, clearing, major cleaning, etc.),” explains Lamminaho.
“Keeping the campsites operational and comfortable for our customers requires a financial investment and the rental income can cover part of this. On the positive side, camping areas can continue to be offered for activities,” says Lamminaho.