Mel Hegland Uniplex user groups want to see a pause to Air Ronge user fees at town facilities. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

municipal relations

Air Ronge to be given five options to avoid La Ronge recreation fees

Sep 9, 2025 | 5:04 PM

The Village of Air Ronge will have to choose between five options from the Town of La Ronge that will result in the suspension of recreational user fees if any one of them is chosen.

That’s according to La Ronge Chief Administrative Officer Lyle Hannan, who was busy Tuesday drafting a letter to the village council communicating the options before them. larongeNOW requested an explanation of the motion that was passed at the regular council meeting on Monday, but Hannan declined to elaborate without communicating with the village council about it first.

The meeting included a delegation from Mark Duffy, who appeared on behalf of La Ronge Minor Hockey, La Ronge Skating Club, La Ronge Curling Club and Crushers Hockey. While registration is yet to open for curling and skating, he explained registration for hockey is down and that Crushers Hockey will likely fold if Air Ronge members are forced to pay $1,000 in user fees per season to access the Mel Hegland Uniplex.

“All user groups… will suffer financially from a loss in participation, however, thanks to the efforts of the group, we have been able to bring both councils, as well as representation from the Northern Administration District and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band to the table to begin discussions on a regional sports, recreation and culture model,” Duffy remarked.

“Regional models have been successfully implemented in the area, as you are aware, with fire and others, and we see this being an ideal candidate for a similar approach.”

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Duffy and the user groups he represented would like to see town council rescind the Air Ronge user fee that has been imposed on Air Ronge users at town facilities, so long as those discussions on a regional sports, recreation and culture model are continuing.

At least two members of council voiced their frustration at being asked to fulfill that request. Mayor Joe Hordyski stated he hoped such a presentation would have been done with the village ahead of registration opening for local user groups.

“[There’s] not much pressure from people who are really affected by the user fee and that kind of disappointments me a little,” he said.

Coun. Abby Besharah also voiced her displeasure at being asked to rescind the user fee.

“We have consistently demonstrated as the town that we are open and willing to discuss this for over two years,” she said.

“I don’t think it is reasonable or fair, but the town being consistently asked when we don’t see the same being asked of the village or the pressure being put on the village when they’re the ones who are not coming to the table with anything. We are just getting nos.”

Duffy replied that a representative will be at the regular Air Ronge council meeting on Sept. 16 to ask them to reconsider the funding they have earmarked for next fiscal year. It is also expected that Air Ronge council will, at that time, consider the options being forwarded to them from La Ronge council.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com