Lower Recreation Fees Increase Access for Families, Seniors and Post-secondary Students

Maple Ridge, B.C. – July 31, 2025 – Maple Ridge is making recreation more affordable and accessible, with new admission discounts for preschoolers, seniors and full-time adult post-secondary students coming into effect Sept. 1. 

Under the City’s updated Fees and Charges Bylaw adopted by Council this week, admission will now be: 

• Free for children under age 5 (previously under 3) 
• 50% off for seniors aged 65–79 (expanding the discount beyond age 74) 
• 30% off for full-time adult students (a new category) 

Maple Ridge is one of the few cities in the region to offer this full range of discounts. The City has also revised its age categories to better reflect school groupings and life stages and introduced a multi-year admission fee schedule to provide residents with the ability to plan ahead.  

“Whether you’re a parent with young kids, a post-secondary student, or a senior on a fixed income, these changes are about making recreation more affordable and accessible,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “We’re building a community where everyone can stay active, healthy, and connected—regardless of income. We’ve worked hard to keep costs low where it matters most, while ensuring fees are consistent, predictable, and easier to understand.” 

Additional Changes Effective Sept. 1: 

• Modest increases (2–5%) to drop-in admission for other age groups (children, youth, adults, and seniors aged 60–64) to reflect inflation and regional rates (approx. $0.06 to $0.56) 
• No changes to rates for super seniors (80+), 1-year drop-in memberships, outdoor pool admissions, or sports field user fees 
• Rental rate increases (5%) for rooms, arenas, fields, pools, and fairgrounds currently below market average; other rentals remain unchanged 

Improved Clarity and Transparency  

These recreation fee updates were part of the City’s first comprehensive fee review since January 2024 and align with Council’s Strategic Plan direction to increase access and consolidate fees into a single bylaw. The changes are part of a broader consolidation of City fees across departments—including Planning, Building, Engineering, Finance, Film, and Police Services—under one easy-to-navigate bylaw. This “One City” approach improves transparency, simplifies access, and ensures fees are updated fairly and consistently. 

Financial Support Available 

Maple Ridge’s Access Pass program remains in place to support residents facing financial barriers. For eligibility and application details, visit MapleRidge.ca/FinancialAccess. 

Learn More 

To view the updated fees and find answers to frequently asked questions about the updated Fees and Charges Bylaw, visit MapleRidge.ca/FeesAndCharges. 

For additional information on recreation fee changes, visit MapleRidge.ca/RecFees, contact Cidalia Martin, Director of Recreation Services, 604-467-7447 or CMartin@MapleRidge.ca.